A/HRC/17/46 sending a robust, unequivocal signal that society would not tolerate violence against children. B. Plenary discussion 16. The Human Rights Council divided the first panel discussion into two segments. During the first segment, statements were made by the European Union, Belgium, Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Germany, Guatemala, Nigeria (on behalf of the Group of African States), Pakistan, Peru, the Russian Federation, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Uruguay (on behalf of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States). The Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner, the Foundation ECPAT International1 and the International Save the Children Alliance2 also made statements. The representatives of Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Djibouti, Finland, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Turkey, World Vision International3 and International Movement ATD Fourth World4 spoke during the second segment. 17. During the interactive dialogue, speakers welcomed the presence of youth representatives as panellists and the opportunity to listen to them, giving due weight to their views as provided for in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. States reaffirmed the importance of the Convention and its Optional Protocols, and calls were made the ratification of these international instruments. Representatives of different Governments strongly condemned the violence experienced by street children, including sexual exploitation and abuse, trafficking, hazardous work, discrimination and lack of access to basic services. In the light of the lack of comprehensive data, which constituted a serious global omission, calls were made by some States to develop, strengthen and implement the systematic collection of disaggregated national data on street children so that effective measures for prevention and intervention could be made. 18. Extensive reference to the root causes of the phenomenon was also made, including poverty and economic hardships, family disintegration, exclusion, stigmatization and lack of education, as well as domestic violence, urbanization and natural and man-made disasters. The particular situation of unaccompanied foreign children was also raised during the dialogue. Speakers agreed that this was a phenomenon found in developed and developing countries alike, and that girls were extremely vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Children in the street were seen as a threat to society rather than as holders of human rights. Some speakers noted the increased risk for these children of being recruited by armed groups, but also for demobilized child soldiers to end up living on the street. The responsibility of States to ensure that all children could live with their families, go to school and have access to the most basic services was emphasized. 1 2 3 4 6 On behalf of the Consortium for Street Children, Defence for Children International, the International Catholic Child Bureau, the International Federation of Social Workers, the International Federation Terre des Hommes, the Women’s World Summit Foundation and World Vision International. On behalf of the Consortium for Street Children, Foundation ECPAT International, the International Federation Terre des Hommes, SOS Kinderdorf International and the Women’s World Summit Foundation. On behalf of the Consortium for Street Children, Defence for Children International, Foundation ECPAT International, the International Catholic Child Bureau, the International Federation Terre des Hommes, the International Harm Reduction Association, Plan International, SOS Children’s Villages International and the World Women’s Summit Foundation. On behalf of Franciscans International, the International Catholic Child Bureau and the International Council of Women.