30.9.2011

WELCOME TO NAJAT MAALLA M’JID, UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE SALE OF CHILDREN, CHILD PROSTITUTION AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

STRASBOURG, Wednesday 5 October 2011

Dear Mrs M’jid, I am particularly happy to welcome you to this Chamber. I take the opportunity to praise the substantial work that you have carried out - alongside your main profession as a paediatrician - as UN Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. The UN appointed you to this highly responsible position in 2008 and your mandate was renewed this year for a 3-year period.

I would also like to highlight your work as a member of the National Commission on the Rights of the Child of the Moroccan Consultative Council on Human Rights, your contribution to the Moroccan national policy on child protection, your active participation in various NGOs and your work as an expert.

Today’s joint plenary debate comes at a time when crimes against children and women are on the increase.

I wish to thank you for your contribution to the Council of Europe ONE in FIVE Campaign to stop sexual violence against children and notably its parliamentary dimension. I hope that you will also be able to support, in your official function, the signature, ratification and implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

Dear Mrs M’jid, thank you again for coming to share with us your experience. The floor is yours.