Communiqués de presse

20 years of existence of the Hague Adoption Convention shows that its ratification is not enough. Without effective implementation measures, the Convention itself cannot prevent abusive practices in international adoption. The effective application of the Convention is contingent on the political will of States to introduce and enforce accompanying legislation and procedures.

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Press Contact:

Ignacio Packer, Secretary General,
Terre des Hommes International Federation
Mobile: 0041.79.278.4429
Email: ignacio.packer(at)terredeshommes.org

Rome, 29 November 2012

Violence and Abuse against Young Girls and Teenagers: There is Room to Strengthen Harmonization within the European Union

Terre des Hommes report presented to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Rome, 29 - 30 November 2012 —The fight against violence and abuse on young girls and teenagers is a priority for every country and every international institution. In this context, the European Union can become a crucial contributor toward harmonizing the different types of offenses and the minimum sanctions that Member States must apply. This is one of the key results from the research “Violence Against Young Women: A Human Rights Violation” presented today as a preview by Terre des Hommes at the international Conference of the Council of Europe “The role of International Cooperation in tackling sexual violence against children” at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome.

“The issue of violence against women and children has been addressed as a priority at international and national levels, on the assumption that it represents a human rights violation. The universal nature of this phenomenon was the main reason of a lot of efforts developed by International and European institutions and many countries in fighting violence against women and children. These efforts have also included the introduction in the national legislations of specific offenses, as recently done in Italy with the ratification of the Lanzarote Convention on the protection of children from exploitation and sexual abuse”stated Raffaele Salinari, President of Terre des Hommes Italia Onlus and of Terre des Hommes International Federation.

The research “Violence Against Young Women: A Human Rights Violation” was carried out by Paul Hastings in the framework of Terre des Hommes’ campaign “Indifesa” (Unprotected) for the protection of girl child rights in the world and is available at: http://www.terredeshommes.it/

press release - print version

"Violence against young women: a human rights violation
by Paul Hastings
full report | abstract

November 20th, 2012

20 November - Day of the rights of the child

A new milestone for children's rights

Terre des Hommes welcomes the ratification by the German Parliament of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Osnabrück 19, November 2012 - The international child rights/children’s aid organisation welcomes the rapid ratification of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by the German Parliament as a milestone for children's rights. As third state to ratify the Protocol, after Gabon and Thailand, Germany opens the opportunity for children to submit complaints to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child regarding violations of their rights, as enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

"By ratifying the protocol Germany strengthens the position of children as rights holders and hopefully sends a strong signal to other states to ratify the Protocol" explains Danuta Sacher, CEO of Terre des Hommes Germany. The protocol will enter into force for Germany three months after the tenth state has ratified it. "The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its implementing mechanisms should have a central place in law education as well as in schools. This is an important task for the Federal, State and local governments, " she added.

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Geneva, September26th, 2012

Thailand and Gabon first States to ratify new UN treaty giving children access to justice at the international level.

Thailand and Gabon are the first countries to ratify the new international treaty on children's rights, which allows children and their representatives to report rights violations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The ratifications are receiving strong support from NGOs around the world.
"Before this new treaty, it was almost impossible to challenge violations of children’s rights at the international level," said Anita Goh, Co-Chair of Ratify OP3CRC - International Coalition for the OPCRC on a Communications Procedure, an alliance of children's rights NGOs and institutions.

The treaty, a third Optional Protocol (OP) to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), establishes a channel of complaint for children whose rights have been violated, for example through violence, sexual exploitation, or lack of access to education. If violations cannot be addressed effectively by national courts, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child will be able to examine them.

"We applaud Thailand’s and Gabon’s lead, and urge every country to ratify the OP to recognize children as full rights holders” said Ryan Silverio, representing Child Rights Coalition Asia, a member organisation of the International Coalition. "Ratifying this treaty is an important step towards ensuring that children have equal access to justice at the international level," added Silverio.

“The International Coalition especially looks for leadership of States that supported the creation of the Protocol and all those that have signed it. We call for its entry into force by February 28, 2013, the first anniversary of its signing," said Goh.

Thailand and Gabon ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child at the UN annual treaty event on 25 September 2012, in New York. The Protocol enters into force once ten States ratify it. It can then be used by children and their representatives in every state where it is ratified.

photo: UN

Background information

Thailand was part of the core group of twelve States (Austria, Chile, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Kenya, the Maldives, Slovakia, Slovenia, Thailand and Uruguay) that led the drafting of OP3 CRC.

Other States have initiated the ratification process. For example, Germany adopted a draft law on the ratification of the OP in August 2012.
Fifty-five States expressed official support for OP3 CRC when it was adopted by the United Nations in 2011: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Maldives, Mali, Montenegro, Morocco, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Ukraine, United States of America, Uruguay and Zambia

As of 25 September 2012, in addition to Thailand, thirty-one States have signed OP3 – indicating their intention to ratify: Albania, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Cape Verde, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Finland, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Montenegro, Morocco, Peru, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey and Uruguay.

Ratify OP3 CRC - International Coalition for the OPCRC on a Communications Procedure, a group of over forty national, regional and international children's rights NGOs and institutions, is guided by a Steering Committee composed of: African Child Policy Forum, Eurochild, Child Rights Coalition Asia (CRC Asia), Child Rights International Network (CRIN), Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of children (GIEACP), NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child (NGO Group for the CRC), Kindernothilfe, Plan International, Red latinoamericana y caribeña por la defensa de los derechos de los niños, niñas y adolescentes (Redlamyc), Save the Children, Terre des Hommes International Federation (TDHIF), and World Vision.

For background information on the International Coalition, see: www.ratifyop3crc.org

Geneva, September 25th, 2012

Lack of protection for children away from home: Terre Des Hommes debating at the UN

Terre Des Hommes International Federation program “Destination Unknown” gains momentum on September 28: The organization will present its recommendation on protective measures for children on the move at the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child Day of General Discussion.

Millions of children are on the move, within and beyond their country of origin, with or without their parents. Children have become an important part of large-scale population movements due to war, conflict, natural disasters, poor governance and socio-economic situations. For the children migration involves many chances, but also a greater risk of military recruitment or ending up abused, exploited or detained.

Terre Des Hommes proposes solutions
Therefore Terre des Hommes calls on States to bring to an end practices that it considers as violations of the Convention on the Rights of the Child - namely detention and deportation of children based on their migration status. “We advocate towards the authorities for safer migration opportunities” says Mirela Shuteriqi, Child Protection expert at Terre des Hommes. “We advocate to make sure that the best interests of the child is the prevailing consideration in any decision taken. We continuously support stronger collaboration between countries of origin, transit and destination, so that the best solution can be found for any child on the move.” Thus Terre des Hommes demonstrates good practice in national and regional projects in West Africa, South-East Asia and Europe on how to bridge the gaps between the efforts of governments and Non-Governmental Organizations – the efforts to put in place a more comprehensive protection system for children at home and on the move.
Furthermore, with the international programme “Destination Unknown” Terre des Hommes International Federation * (TDHIF) aims to improve protection for children on the move by raising awareness, advocacy and support to service provision. This programme is built on long term experience in field projects and in running thematic campaigns. “The migrant children, trafficked children, street children, stateless children, refugee children, and internally displaced children: Each bear different purposes for leaving their homes, but all of them have needs to be fulfilled and rights to be protected” declares Ignacio Packer, Secretary General of the Terre Des Hommes International Federation.

Terre des Hommes presents protective measures in Geneva
On September 28 2012, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child Discussion Day with the main subject “The rights of all children in the context of international migration” takes place in Geneva. Terre des Hommes seizes this opportunity to present its recommendations for the protection of children on the move.

To download the text of the full submission to the Committee on the Rights of the Child and for more information: www.terredeshommes.org

* The Terre des Hommes International Federation (TDHIF) consists of ten independent non-governmental organisations (NGOs) based in Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland (comprising two organisations: Terre des Hommes Switzerland and the Terre des Hommes Foundation in Lausanne, Switzerland). These organisations implement 1’043 projects in 72 countries.

Geneva, 22nd June 2012

We are the most powerful generation ever

As the Rio+20 Earth Summit closes, youths have made it clear to Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and heads of states that they are the most powerful generation ever and that institutions have to adapt to make them the new center of gravity.

The final Declaration of the Rio+20 Earth Summit is lacking in ambition, urgency and political will. There is very little that is new and the declaration mostly repeats promises made at previous Earth Summits, and in some cases omits key references.

“The declaration is out of touch with reality. It neglects the majority of the population and the future generations” commented Ignacio Packer, Secretary General of Terre Des Hommes, at the closing of the Summit in Rio.

Some important doors have however been opened on some very specific issues, such as on the access to information and participation in decision making on which Terre Des Hommes advocates with the specific focus on inclusion of children and youth.

Terre des hommes has accompanied the Sustainability Development Summit from the perspective of child rights, in particular in lobbying for the establishment of ombudsperson for the rights of future generations. Danuta Sacher, CEO of Terre Des Hommes stated: "It is disappointing that this point has been so very weakened in the final document”.

What governments could do here was the ideal dream: to have the opportunity to be the savors of the planet. This did not happen but the Summit was not only about a Declaration. Terre Des Hommes is returning with regained inspiration, strength, tenacity and connections to continue its focused efforts in the international advocacy arena and in its interventions in 1’200 projects in 72 countries.

IUCN, Stand up for your Rights and Terre Des Hommes are now joining forces on the initiative to strengthen the children’s right to a healthy environment in the framework of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Addressing the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, Ralien Bekkers, youth representative said: “We are the most powerful generation ever: take us seriously”.

________

For more information please contact:
Terre des Hommes team in Rio
Ignacio Packer (Secretary General)
+41 79 282 84 03 or Urte Tegtmeyer on +55-21 / 83 82 26 69 (Press)
See also www.tdh.de/rio

Geneva, 19th June 2012

UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro
The draft outcome document is weak and vague – The International community must not jeopardise the achievements of the 1992 Rio Summit

On the opening of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, the international charity Terre des Hommes is concerned. “The draft outcome document is weak and vague and fails to respond adequately to the social and environmental challenges. It is unacceptable that the international community in such a dramatic moment regarding climate change, hunger and financial crisis shall jeopardise the achievements of the first Rio Summit in 1992 and for example ignore agreed principles such as the common but differentiated responsibilities and the polluters pay principle” said Danuta Sacher Chair of the Executive Board of Terre des Hommes (Germany) in Rio de Janeiro. “A particular concern for us, as a child rights organisation, is the deletion of the demand for an Ombudsperson for the rights of future generations, and we strongly appeal that it shall remain in the final declaration. Children now constitute more than half the world's population. Climate change and environmental degradations affect their life or put an end to it. Their rights and those of future generations must not be sacrificed to short-term economic interests and to calculations at national level. "

The draft outcome document is too vague and for example mentions just eight times the questions of future generations, compared with 30 references to the private sector.

Terre des Hommes supports the demand for sufficient and reliable financial resources to fight poverty and climate change and urges the international community to set up global sustainable goals. They should succeed to the MDGs and act as binding principles for all nations. Terre des Hommes welcomes the position of the EU and the German government to involve civil society and science in this process.

Genève, le 28 février 2012

Les ONG appellent les États à ratifier le mécanisme de plaintes des Nations Unies pour les droits de l’enfant

Pour la première fois et plus de vingt ans après la reconnaissance officielle de leurs droits, les enfants auront la possibilité d’accéder à la justice au niveau international grâce à un mécanisme de plaintes récemment adopté. 
Pour que cette procédure devienne une réalité tangible pour les enfants victimes, les États doivent signer et ratifier le nouveau Protocole facultatif à la Convention relative aux droits de l’enfant afin qu’il puisse entrer en vigueur et produire ses effets. La cérémonie officielle de signature s’est tenue aujourd’hui, le 28 février 2012, à l’occasion de la session du Conseil des Droits de l’Homme à Genève. 
20 États du monde entier, soit Allemagne, Autriche, Belgique, Brésil, Chili, Costa Rica, Espagne, Finlande, Italie, Luxembourg, Maldives, Mali, Maroc, Monténégro, Pérou, Portugal, Serbie, Slovaquie, Slovénie et Uruguay ont montré la voie et fait preuve d’un engagement politique fort pour la protection des droits de l’enfant en signant le Protocole aujourd’hui. 
 
Cela constitue une première étape importante, mais ces États devront néanmoins ratifier le Protocole pour être juridiquement lié par ses dispositions et le Protocole doit être ratifié par au moins dix États avant de pouvoir être utilisé. 

« Nous espérons que tous les États assumeront leurs responsabilités envers les enfants en signant et en ratifiant cet instrument sans délai » a indiqué Lisa Myers, Directrice du Groupe des ONG pour la CDE au nom de ses membres et partenaires, « Nous devons nous assurer que cet instrument entre en vigueur rapidement afin que les enfants qui en ont besoin puissent l’utiliser». 

Le Protocole facultatif va fortifier la Convention relative aux droits de l’enfant et ses protocoles existants concernant la vente d’enfants, la prostitution des enfants et la pornographie mettant en scène des enfants et sur l’implication d’enfants dans les conflits armés. Il donnera aux enfants, et à leurs représentants, la possibilité, s’ils ne peuvent pas obtenir justice dans leur pays, de faire appel au Comité des droits de l’enfant des Nations Unies – l’organe indépendant qui surveille l’application de la Convention et de ses Protocoles facultatifs. 

La cérémonie de signature aux Nations Unies est le résultat d’une campagne active menée depuis 2006 par une coalition d’ONG représentant des ONG de défense des droits de l’enfant et des droits de l’homme à travers le monde. La coalition d’ONG a fait campagne pour cet instrument afin d’offrir aux enfants un niveau de protection équivalent à celui accordé aux adultes au niveau des Nations Unies. 

La coalition des ONG continuera sa campagne afin de s’assurer que ce troisième Protocole entrera en vigueur sans tarder, l’expérience ayant montré que cetravail était fondamental. Elle s’efforcera également de sensibiliser l’opinion et de faire connaître cet instrument autant aux adultes qu’aux enfants, et de gagner le soutien du public afin de s’assurer que le Protocole serve à créer un véritable changement pour la protection des droits des enfants dans le monde.
Notes aux éditeurs:
La cérémonie de signature officielle des Nations Unies fait suite à l’adoption du troisième protocole facultatif à la Convention relative aux droits de l’enfant par l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies le 19 décembre 2011 qui a créé ce nouveau traité international. 
 Une procédure de plaintes ou de « communications » permet à des individus, des groupes ou leurs représentants, considérant que leurs droits ont été violés par un État partie à une Convention, de déposer une communication auprès du Comité approprié de l’ONU, pour autant que cet État ait accepté la procédure et que le plaignant ait épuisé toutes les voies de recours nationales
 Pourquoi la procédure du Comité des droits de l’enfant est unique :
 <img src="../pics/arrow_r.gif" width="7" height="7"> Lorsqu’il examine des communications, le Comité des droits de l’enfant doit respecter le principe de l’intérêt supérieur de l’enfant et prendre en compte les droits et les vues de l’enfant ;
 <img src="../pics/arrow_r.gif" width="7" height="7"> Les règles de procédures pour utiliser le mécanisme de plainte doivent être adaptées aux enfants ;
<img src="../pics/arrow_r.gif" width="7" height="7"> Des sauvegardes doivent être introduites afin de prévenir d’éventuelles manipulations des enfants et le Comité pourra renoncer à examiner une communication qui ne serait pas dans l’intérêt supérieur de l’enfant ;
<img src="../pics/arrow_r.gif" width="7" height="7"> L’identité des personnes impliquées dans le dépôt d’une plainte, y compris celle des enfants victimes, ne pourra être révélée publiquement sans leur consentement exprès;
<img src="../pics/arrow_r.gif" width="7" height="7"> Les communications devront être déposées avec le consentement de l’enfant victime, à moins que la personne déposant la plainte puisse justifier qu’elle agisse au nom de l’enfant sans présenter ce consentement. 
Le Groupe des ONG pour la CDE représente plus de 80 ONG nationales et internationales travaillant ensemble pour faciliter la mise en œuvre de la Convention relative aux droits de l’enfant.
Pour plus d’informations générales sur la coalition d’ONG et la campagne internationale, reportez-vous à : 
www.childrightsnet.org/NGOGroup/childrightsissues/ComplaintsMechanism/

Vous pouvez également consulter les communiqués de presse de

TDH Italie (en italien)

TDH Allemagne (en allemand)

Autres liens

La version imprimable du texte présent (.doc en Anglais)

La version imprimable du texte présent (.doc en Français)

New York, le 19 décembre 2011

Les Nations Unies créent un mécanisme de pleintes pour les enfants

Aujourd'hui, un pas historique a été franchi pour les drotis de l'enfant avec l'adoption par l'Assembée générale de l'ONU, d'un Protocole facultatif à la Convention relative aux droits de l'enfant (CDE), établissant une procédure de plainte pour des violation des droits de l'enfant.

full texte pdf - english

texte complet pdf - français

December 2011

TDHIF participation at 6th Edition of European Development Days,
Warsaw 15-16 December 2011

On 15 and 16 December, the European Commission and the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union will hold the 6th edition of the European
Development Days, a key event bringing together the international development community to analyse and review the links between development and human rights.

On that occasion, TDHIF, in collaboration with the European Network on Migration and Development (EUNOMAD), Red Cross and SOLIDAR, will organize a high-level panel on “Migration, Development and Human Rights – Towards a changing paradigm in EU development policies” to generate interactive discussion on the relation between human development and migration.

The protection of children and young migrants will be put at the heart of the debate thanks to the participation of two representatives of TDH. Federica Giannotta from Terre des Hommes Italy will present a field reality perspective on the situation of migrant children based on FARO project implemented in Lampedusa by TDH Italy. Ignacio Packer, Incoming
General Secretary of Terre des Hommes International Federation will provide
recommendations on the need for a shift of paradigm in EU development policies aimed at protecting all children on the move.

Please download the programme of the panel here

Genève, vendredi 17 juin 2011

Le Conseil des droits de l'homme adopte un nouveau mecanisme pour les violations des droits de l'enfant

Le Conseil des droits de l'homme des Nations Unies à Genève a adopté le projet final de protocole facultatif établissant un mécanisme de plaintes pour les violations des droits de l'enfant, préparé par un groupe de travail intergouvernemental en dix jours en décembre 2010 et février 2011. Le nouveau protocole permettra au Comité des droits de l'enfant d'examiner des plaintes émanant d'enfants et de leurs représentants alléguant la violation de leurs droits.

« Nous ne pouvons que saluer cette décision » a déclaré Anita Goh, Chargée de plaidoyer pour le Groupe des ONG pour la CDE qui coordonne la campagne internationale pour le nouveau mécanisme, « malgré certaines omissions regrettables dans le texte final, telles que la suppression du mécanisme de plaintes collectives, il s'agit là d'une opportunité unique pour traduire en droit international l'engagement pris par les Etats de protéger et de respecter les droits des enfants. »

Le Conseil des droits de l'homme des Nations Unies avait d'abord donné mandat au groupe de travail intergouvernemental d' « explorer la possibilité » d'élaborer un nouveau protocole facultatif en juin 2009. En mars 2010, le Conseil avait renouvelé le mandat du groupe de travail pour qu'il élabore en dix jours maximum ce protocole facultatif.

“Ce nouveau Protocole constitue un signal fort de la part de la communauté internationale et montre que les enfants sont eux aussi des détenteurs de droits qui ont le droit de présenter des plaintes au niveau international lorsqu'il n'y a pas de recours effectif disponible dans leur propre pays », a déclaré Mme Goh, « Nous allons continuer notre travail afin que ce texte final soit adopté par l'Assemblée générale des Nations Unies cet automne, et nous nous réjouissons du lancement d'une nouvelle campagne de ratification ! »

Le projet final de protocole facultatif sera transmis à l'Assemblée générale des Nations Unies pour son adoption finale en décembre 2011.

Contexte La Convention internationale relative aux droits de l'enfant est le seul traité fondamental relatif aux droits de l'homme qui ne dispose pas d'un mécanisme de plaintes.

Une coalition de plus de 80 ONG internationales et nationales, soutenue par plus de 600 organisations dans toutes les régions, a effectué un travail de lobbying important pour la création de ce nouveau mécanisme depuis 2006. La coalition est dirigée par Sara Austin (Vision du Monde) et Peter Newell (Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children) et coordonnée par Anita Goh (Groupe des ONG pour la CDE). Terre des Hommes Fédération Internationale est un membre actif de la coalition.

Une procédure de plaintes ou de “communications” permet aux individus, aux groupes ou à leurs représentants, qui affirment que leurs droits ont été violés par un Etat qui est partie à une convention, de présenter une communication devant le Comité des Nations Unies adéquat, si l’Etat en cause a accepté cette procédure.

Pour plus d’information sur la campagne internationale, veuillez vous référer à www.crin.org/NGOGroup/childrightsissues/ComplaintsMechanism/ (en anglais)

ce communiqué de presse en version pdf :

pdf version of this press release :

Osnabrück, June 12, 2011

World Day against Child Labour. 115 million children work in hazardous conditions and 22’000 working children die every year in labour-related accidents

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), around 22.000 children die every year in labour-related accidents. Terre des Hommes calls on attention to this scandalous fact on the occasion of the World Day against Child Labour. About 115 million children work in hazardous and exploitative conditions. When working for instance in the fields, children are empoisoned by insecticides and pesticides, as during planting and harvesting cotton, oranges and coffee; others are injured by machetes or are cutting themselves on the razor-sharp leaves of sugarcane. In mining, children are repeatedly injured through explosions, falling stones or implosions in the mine adit, as for instance in coltan and copper mining or in natural stone quarries.

Photo : Nagender Singh Chhikara

„These terrifying figures hide unutterable suffering of children and their families. They exhort us to do everything possible to end up this scandal”, explains Danuta Sacher, Director of Terre des Hommes Germany. “Especially governments are called upon to implement effectively the existing prohibitions of child labour and to provide quality and free school education for all children – also for those coming from poor and disadvantaged families. Moreover, everyone can contribute as a consumer by buying only products issued from fair trade and produced without child labour, and by putting pressure on politicians at the local level for fair communal procurement of goods produced without child labour.”

Photo : Nagender Singh Chhikara

Project partners of Terre des Hommes Germany are actively involved in several countries to make sure that children are liberated from child labour, grow in good health conditions and go to school. Terre des Hommes calls on business companies to ensure that no children are exploited in their supply chains and provides information to consumers about products manufactured without child labour and in decent conditions.

Brussels, 26 May 2011

Bulgarian children in Greece : facing survival

“Surviving” on the streets of Thessaloniki, Greece, many Bulgarian children were witnessed everyday begging at traffic lights, cleaning windscreens, exposed to hardship and homelessness. The same situation is observed in many European cities. A field research by Terre des Hommes and its partners revealing “child rights violations” was discussed today in the conference “European Migrant Children : What Protection? ” at the European Parliament.

“We have to systematically take the “best interests” of the child as basis for the protection of children from all forms of exploitation, even when the
situation is complex and the family’s survival is in danger”, specified Ms.
“Mariya Nedelcheva”, Member of European Parliament (BG), Host and Chair of the conference.

The vulnerabilities of these children were acknowledged by Mr. Michail
Tremopoulos, Member of European Parliament (GR): “In Greece [...] Unfortunately, it seems that Bulgarian children working in the streets have no access to the existing limited services, also because the latter do not focus in these populations”.

The same situation is observed in many other European cities, not only in Thessaloniki, Greece. “While EU citizens can now move and reside freely in another EU Member State, vulnerable children and their families face a high risk of exploitation and abuses in another country than theirs. Regardless of their origin, they need care and protection”, said Mr. Pierre Cazenave, Regional Child Rights Officer, Terre des Hommes Central and South Eastern Europe office.

“Only legislation will not work. What is important to me is “shared
responsibility” and “awareness-raising””, said Ms. Edit Bauer, Member of European Parliament (SK).

The conference was organized in the framework of the project Mario “Protection of children on the move” jointly implemented by Terre des Hommes, Save the Children in Albania, ECPAT Netherlands and Bulgaria, and Nobody’s Children Foundation. High level Members of European Parliament, European Commission officials, Government Representations and NGOs were present.

Find here :

Find out more about Terre des Hommes and Mario project implemented
with its partners at its websites :

http://www.terredeshommes.org/
http://www.tdh-childprotection.org/projects/mario

15 February 2011

Long-awaiting European Commission’s “Agenda for the Rights of the Child” falls short of expectation

Brussels, Belgium, 15.02.2011: “Children’s rights are fundamental rights. The EU and its 27 Member States need to make sure they are protected and that the best interests of the child are our guiding principles” said Vice-President Viviane Reding, the EU’s Justice Commissioner yesterday the 15 February 2011, on the occasion of the adoption of the Commission’s long-awaiting “Agenda for the Rights of the Child”.

The Agenda aims at “reinforcing the rights of the child by putting the principles of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights into practice”. The agenda lists 11 actions that the Commission will take over the next years to protect children’s rights, including promoting child-friendly justice, better informing children about their rights, and making the internet safer for kids, among others.

“The Agenda has important concrete actions, but we would have expected a real comprehensive strategy on the rights of the child, as announced by the same European Commission five years ago”, said Salvatore Parata, Head of European Office Terre Des Hommes International Federation. The Agenda seems to fall short of the EC commitment "to develop a comprehensive strategy to ensure that the European Union contributes to promoting and safeguarding children’s rights in all its internal and external actions”, as set out in the Commission’s Communication entitled "Towards an EU strategy on the Rights of the Child" in 2006, five years ago.

Children’s rights form part of the fundamental rights that the EU is committed to respect under the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The Treaty of Lisbon also requires the EU to promote the protection of the rights of the child. In addition, all 27 EU countries have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Europe 2020 Strategy sets out a vision for the 21st century of a Europe where the children of today will have a better education, access to the services and to the resources they need to grow up and, one day, lead Europe into the 22nd century.

As an NGO that fully integrates its field work to advocacy at international level, Terre des Hommes will continue to channel analyses, expertise and recommendations to the EU institutions based on its field project work. Strategically, Terre des Hommes International Federation is using networking to run its advocacy work, being a member of various NGO networks that represent both the development cooperation sector as the human rights and child rights sector at EU level: Concord, the European NGO Confederation for Relief and Development; HRDN, the Human Rights & Democracy Network, a coalition of Human Rights NGOs and CRAG, the Child Rights Action Group. The overall objective of the advocacy work of Terre des Hommes International Federation is influencing the EU policy on child rights both internal and externally.

Links:

European Commission Press Release: European Commission sets out EU agenda for the rights of the child, 15.2.2011

Homepage of Viviane Reding, Vice-President and Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship:

European Commission Communication "Towards an EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child", 4.7.2006

Terre Des Hommes’s Response to the Consultation on the European Commission’s Communication on the Rights of the Child – August 2010

Janvier 2011

Haiti: De l’aide d’urgence à la reconstruction

Le tremblement de terre qui a frappé Haïti le 12 janvier 2010 a été l’une des catastrophes naturelles les plus meurtrières de l’histoire. D’une magnitude de 7,3 sur l’échelle de Richter, il a fait plus de victimes que le tsunami de 2004. De plus, depuis octobre, les Haïtiens sont contaminés par milliers par une épidémie de choléra. Avant ces fléaux, Haïti était déjà le pays le plus pauvre du continent américain, avec des catastrophes naturelles successives qui ont dévasté les conditions de vie des habitants.

• Près de 3,5 millions de personnes ont été touchées par les secousses y compris toute la population de Port-au-Prince.

• Le Gouvernement d’Haïti estime que 222 570 personnes sont mortes et 300 572 ont été blessées, mais le véritable nombre de morts ne sera jamais connu.

• Le nombre de personnes contraints à quitter leur maison a atteint un maximum de 2,3 millions, dont 302 000 enfants.

• 188 383 maisons se sont effondrées ou ont été gravement endommagées et 105 000 ont été complètement détruites par le séisme. 60% des bâtiments gouvernementaux et administratifs ont été détruits, y compris le Palais Présidentiel, le Parlement et la Cathédrale.

• 80% des écoles de Port-au-Prince et 60% dans les départements Sud et Ouest ont été détruits ou endommagées.

• La valeur totale des dommages et pertes causés par le tremblement de terre est estimée à 7,8 milliards de dollars, ce qui équivaut à plus de 120% du produit intérieur brut (PIB) d’Haïti en 2009.

• Plus de 16 000 fonctionnaires ont péri dans le tremblement de terre et un grand nombre a quitté le pays après le 12 Janvier. Même si la plupart sont de retour, la force de travail du Gouvernement est réduite de 33%. *

Terre des Hommes travaille sur le terrain depuis des décennies et a augmenté son aide à Haïti de façon substantielle depuis le tremblement de terre. Les organisations Terre des Hommes au Danemark, France, Luxembourg et Pays-Bas, soutiennent les programmes des organisations Terre des Hommes basées à Genève et Lausanne, en Suisse, en Allemagne, et en Italie, afin d’apporter du secours et des soins, ainsi que de protéger les victimes du tremblement de terre en Haïti.

Des activités ont pu être réalisées dans différents domaines tels que la distribution d’aide d’urgence, en prévoyant des abris et en répondant aux besoins essentiels ; la promotion de la santé, le traitement de la malnutrition, l’accueil des enfants, soutien psychosocial et relance de l’éducation ; la protection des enfants sinistrés ; le renforcement des communautés ; la relance du cycle agricole ; la réhabilitation des capacités d’action des différents partenaires

Un an plus tard …

Après les manifestations de colère entraînées par les résultats officiels du premier tour électoral en Haïti, Terre des Hommes a repris son action déterminée contre le choléra. L’Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS) estime que le choléra aura infecté 400'000 personnes au moins d’ici avril prochain. Parmi elles, une sur vingt pourrait décéder. Terre des Hommes s’implique directement dans la lutte contre l’épidémie

« Près d’un an après le tremblement de terre du 12 janvier, la situation est toujours incroyablement chaotique et la misère profonde. Le choléra et les remous politiques enveniment encore le quotidien » a constaté sur place un spécialiste de Terre des Hommes en Haïti. «En 2011, nous voulons dépasser cette phase d’aide d’urgence et pouvoir contribuer à une reconstruction sociale plus ciblée. » Cela implique un travail approfondi pour stabiliser et consolider durablement les communautés locales, avec une attention particulière pour les enfants.

* Chiffres donnés par le PNUD dans son rapport « Haiti, 1 year later »

Pour davantage d’information, veuillez cliquer ici :

Haïti - Un an après le tremblement de terre, Fondation Terre des Hommes – aide à l’enfance

Haïti 1 an après 12 janvier 2010 – 12 janvier 2011, Terre des Hommes Suisse