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Statement by Ms. MAN Anting of the Chinese Delegation at the Third Committee of the 67th Session of the General Assembly on the Rights of the Child (Agenda Item 66)

2012-10-18 20:47
 

Mr. Chairman,

The Chinese Delegation has taken note of the introductions by the Executive Director of UNICEF, the SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict, the SRSG on Violence against Children, the Chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, and the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography as well as the report submitted by the Secretary-General under this agenda item.

In recent years, thanks to the continuous efforts by the international community, national governments and the civil society, steady progress has been made in the promotion and protection of the rights of the child. At the same time, however, we should not lose sight of the fact that in many parts of the world, the life and health of children continue to be affected by poverty, hunger, disease, disasters, child labor, drugs, sexual violation, war and conflicts. The global cause of protecting the rights of the child still faces many challenges. As a response, the international community should work closely together in adopting effective measures to eliminate the root causes of the violation of the rights of the child.

Mr. Chairman,

Children represent the potential of human development and their healthy development depends on the caring and efforts of national governments and the entire international community. The Chinese Government always supports the UN in playing an active role in the promotion and protection of the rights of the child. We call on all governments to join hands in safeguarding world peace and stability so that children worldwide will be spared of the scourge of turmoil and war. We urge the developed countries to honor their commitments to step up substantive financial and technical support to the developing countries so as to minimize the negative impact of the afore-mentioned challenges on children. Developing countries are encouraged to share their experiences in order to create an enabling environment and better conditions for the development of children around the globe.

Mr. Chairman,

For many years, the Chinese government has followed the principle of “Children First” and implemented a development strategy that puts children as a priority with a view to safeguarding children’s right to life, development, protection and participation. As a result of our continuous improvement of relevant legislations, China has now in place a complete legal system on the protection of the rights of the child. Following the promulgation of the Outline for the Development of Chinese Children (2011-2020) in August 2011, the Chinese government convened the fifth National Working Conference on Women and Children at the end of November 2011, which set forth specific requirements for the full implementation of the Outline, including: implementing nutrition and health programs for pre-school children in poor areas to improve children’s nutrition; promoting pre-school education; giving special care to vulnerable groups such as orphans, children with disabilities and diseases, and street children; prohibiting fetal sex identification and illegal abortion; and protecting children against accidental injuries.

Mr. Chairman,

The Chinese government attaches great importance to the important role of international human rights instruments in promoting and protecting the rights of the child. China has acceded to a number of international treaties aimed at protecting the rights of the child and fulfilled its treaty obligations in good faith. In 2010, The Chinese government submitted the combined 3rd and 4th reports on the implementation of the “Convention on the Rights of the Child” and the initial report under the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. China looks forward to constructive dialogue with the Committee on the Rights of the Child. This year marks the 20th Anniversary of China’s accession to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. My government will organize commemorative activities to further publicize the purposes and content of the Convention so that the whole society will better realize the necessity and do more to protect and promote children’s rights.

Mr. Chairman,

China will continue to shoulder its international responsibilities, actively engage in international cooperation, and work together with the international community to strive for the full and timely achievement of all MDGs and a “world fit for children”.

Thank you. Mr. Chairman.

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