A/HRC/37/48
to advance the implementation of regional commitments, including through the enactment
and enforcement of laws banning all forms of violence against children. The guidelines also
commit to the development of a regional plan for 2018-2023 on the promotion of positive
discipline and violence prevention.
106. To advance the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the New Urban Agenda, the
Special Representative pursued further cooperation with local authorities in support of their
efforts towards the prevention and elimination of violence against children. In September,
at the meeting of the Committee on Childhood of the Ibero-American Union of Capital
Cities, held in La Paz, local governments adopted a declaration in which they expressed
their commitment to the promotion of child-friendly cities equipped with public services
and spaces devoted to children’s care and protection; the development of laws, policies and
monitoring processes to advance and assess progress in early childhood; and to paying
special attention to children on the move across the Ibero-American region.
107. The Special Representative continued her engagement with the Organization of
Islamic Cooperation (OIC) building upon her contribution to the debate on the rights of the
child held by the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission in November
2016.
108. In its outcome document, the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission
paid substantial attention to the measures that need to be taken by OIC States Members to
strengthen children’s protection from violence, in accordance with international legal
obligations. It addressed the gender dimensions of violence against children and the
importance of incorporating a gender perspective into all policies and actions. It also called
upon Member States to promote the elimination of all forms of violence against children as
a priority in their national development plans and national reviews within the framework of
the 2030 Agenda. The Commission reiterated its call in its message for Universal
Children’s Day in November 2017, calling for concerted global action to eliminate all
forms of violence against children and to secure their rights in a comprehensive manner, in
compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
109. The Special Representative pursued further her collaboration with the Council of
Europe to strengthen children’s freedom from violence across the region. These initiatives
are framed by the Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2016-2021), which was developed
by the Council with the participation of the Special Representative. The Strategy supports
national implementation of the 2030 Agenda and is monitored by the Ad Hoc Committee
for the Rights of the Child, in which the Special Representative also participates.
110. Children’s freedom from violence is one of the main pillars of the Strategy. During
the first year of implementation, special attention was paid to children’s online protection
and the rights of migrant and refugee children.
111. In May 2017, the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers adopted the Action
Plan on Protecting Refugee and Migrant Children in Europe 2017-2019, with three main
pillars: ensuring access to rights and child-friendly procedures; providing effective
protection; and enhancing the integration of arriving children. The implementation of the
Action Plan will complement other important activities being undertaken by the Ad Hoc
Committee, including the development of new standards on legal guardianship, and age
assessment of migrant and refugee children.
112. The Ad Hoc Committee developed guidelines on the protection of the rights of the
child in the digital environment and the prevention of online abuse to support States in the
development of legislation and policies, and the promotion of national and international
cooperation, and to ensure that business enterprises and other relevant actors meet their
responsibilities. In support of this process, the Council also developed awareness-raising
and educational resources, including a new Internet Literacy Handbook.
17
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