Ljubljana to Host Conference on Violence Against Children

Ljubljana, 4 July

The Republic of Slovenia will host two separate, yet thematically related events focusing on the violence and sexual abuse of children: UN's regional consultation on violence against children for Europe and central Asia entitled "Stop Violence Against Children. Act Now!", and Council of Europe's conference entitled "Yokohama Review for Europe and Central Asia - Combating Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children", between July 4th and 9th 2005 in the Union Hotel in Ljubljana.

The first event will be co-organized by UNICEF, the Council of Europe, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the World Health Organization, the NGO Advisory Panel, and the Government of the Republic Of Slovenia. This consultation represents a part of the complex of nine regional consultations held throughout the world.

The second event has been conceived as a follow-up of the Second World Congress Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children held in Yokohama between December 17th and 20th 2001, and a preparatory meeting for Europe and central Asia held in Budapest on November 20th and 21st 2001. It will be co-organized by the Council of Europe, UNICEF, and the Government of the Republic of Slovenia. Both events represent a contribution to the preparation of a UN's global study of violence against children, which is being prepared by the independent expert, Professor Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, and which will be introduced in the UN's General Assembly in 2006 together with recommendations. Approximately 300 participants from 52 countries are expected, alongside children's ombudsmen, non-governmental organizations, children and young people, and representatives of international intergovernmental organizations.

In Slovenia the protection of children's rights is the responsibility of numerous state institutions and non-governmental organizations. The Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior or the Police, Slovene UNICEF, and the non-governmental organization Foundation "Together" also have important roles in this matter. An extremely important responsibility is that of the Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia which has assembled a specialized group of advisors to work in this field.

The participants are also to sign a "Ljubljana Agreement", with which they will commit to developing and carrying out strategies to prevent violence against children, and to passing legislation on the prevention of all forms of violence against children.

Around 300 representatives of 52 governments, international and non-governmental organisations, children rights ombudsmen and children are to take part. Also expected are officials from the Council of Europe, UNICEF and the OSCE. PM Janez Jansa is to speak at the opening of the conference, which is organised by several Slovenian ministries and the human rights ombudsman.

Ljubljana to Host Conference on Violence Against Children

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