Ending Violence Against Children

A WORLD VISION JOURNAL OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Third Quarter, 2001

Building a world fit for children UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy The Human Security Network Canadian Foreign Minister John Manley Ending violence Our war-affected children against children UN Under-Secretary General Olara Otunnu For the children

WHEN CONSIDERING the issue of violence against children, images Third Quarter, 2001 that come to mind tend to centre around conflict: orphans wandering Ending violence against children decimated down-towns, destitute waifs in refugee camps, child soldiers Building a world fit for children 1 recruited into rebel armies. However, UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy calls governments, NGOs, most violence against children takes businesses and others to take the cause of children’s well-being as their own. place where children should feel safest: in their homes. The Human Security Network at work 4 This issue of Global Future takes Canadian Foreign Minister Hon. John Manley calls for practical measures to a look at a number of circumstances be put into action in war-ravaged nations in order to protect children. in which today’s children face a range Placing war-affected children on the world’s agenda 6 of threats and attacks, from child labour to slavery and trafficking; from Olara A. Otunnu, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for imprisonment in adult institutions to Children and Armed Conflict, applauds progress already made, but calls for torture and abuse; and from attacks greater efforts to protect children. in the home to attacks on the world’s Child slavery in West Africa and beyond 8 battlefields. Authorities on—and advocates Children: a forbidden weapon of war 9 for—today’s children, such as Violence reverberates through the generations 11 UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy and UN Under-Secretary Protecting their rights 12 General Olara Otunnu, talk in this Children as targets of torture 14 edition of Global Future about the status of today’s children, especially Are we making progress? 16 those in the developing world. But, in addition to discussing the dire condi- Actions speak louder than words 17 tions in which children find them- On the streets in Cambodia 19 selves, they also talk about tools available to the world community to begin Imagine a world where children are safe 20 reversing those conditions.Tools such as the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the ‘Say Yes for Children’ campaign, the Human Security Network, Global Future is published quarterly by Correspondence should be and the International Labour World Vision to encourage debate and discus- addressed to: sion on development issues. Organisation’s Convention 182. Global Future Melanie Gow, World Vision’s policy World Vision officer for child rights, talks on page Publisher Dean R. Hirsch 800 W. Chestnut Ave. Editor Randy Miller Monrovia, California 91016-3198 20 about a new advocacy campaign USA launched by World Vision to publicise Contributing correspondents: Kelly Currah, Telephone (1) 626-303-8811 and seek action on this issue. Melanie Gow, Brett Parris, Matt Scott, Don Brandt, FAX (1) 626-301-7786 Some of these tools are relatively Heather MacLeod, Joe Muwonge,Alan Whaites. e-mail: [email protected] new; some have been around for All opinions expressed in Global Future OR: years, waiting for the world to sit up are those of the authors. and take notice.And more important- World Vision Articles may be freely reproduced, with acknowl- 6 Chemin de la Tourelle ly, to take action. The time to act is edgement, except where other copyright is indicat- 1209 Geneva, Switzerland now.We can’t afford to wait. Neither ed.Annual subscription in USA: US$15, but sent ■ ISSN 0742-1524 can our children. free of charge to NGOs in the South.

COVER PHOTO BY JON WARREN: COLOMBIA’S CHILDREN TAKE TO THE STREETS IN A DEMONSTRATION FOR PEACE. — Randy Miller the life-affirming importance of educa- Building a world tion, more than 100 million children are not in school, nearly 60 million of fit for children them girls. This is the reality that must be Carol Bellamy changed, the reality that we must change. LIKE MILLIONS of other people states, to transform personal commit- Violence against children around the world, I believe that all ments to do what’s right for individual Systematically and routinely, children should be free to grow in children into a public value to do directly and indirectly, the reality of health, peace and dignity. Like millions what’s right for all children. our times exposes young girls and of people, thousands of organisations The reality of life for millions of boys in every region of the world to and scores of governments, I am com- children who live in every region of violence and abuse. Sometimes the mitted to building a world where the world conflicts with our beliefs violence is overt and extreme, as every child, without exception, will and our vision, and challenges every when children are deliberate targets know such freedom. But the cause of step of our strategy. Despite the rich- of war, when they are abducted to children goes beyond the interests of ness of the world’s resources, nearly serve in rogue armies, when they are children only, for it is clear that only if 600 million children live in absolute kidnapped for the purposes of sexual the international community and nations are successful in protecting all children can there be any hope of sus-

taining peace and security throughout RANDY MILLER the world. We at UNICEF have a vision of what a world fit for children would look like: healthy families supported by healthy communities as they create safe and loving spaces for their children. Children growing strong, enjoy- ing the fullness of childhood, learning and interacting in an ever-widening circle within their societies, and preparing for ever-expanding roles as agents of their destiny. A strategy and a plan We have a strategy. Ensure that every child has the best possible start in life. Ensure that every child com- pletes a basic education of good qual- ‘We at UNICEF have a vision of what a world fit for children would look like: healthy families supported by healthy communities as they create safe and loving spaces for children.’ ity. Ensure that every child has ample opportunities to develop their individ- poverty in families that earn less than trafficking. More than 2 million chil- ual capacities and that all children, US$1 a day, and one-quarter of these dren have died due to conflict in the especially adolescents, are empow- children are chronically malnourished. past decade, millions more have been ered to contribute to their societies. Even in the world’s richest countries, maimed physically and psychologically, And a plan. Raise the expectations about 47 million children, one in every and more than 300,000 have lived inti- within the human family that every six, live below national poverty lines. mately with bloodshed and death as individual, government, NGO, civil Despite the existence of vaccines and child soldiers. Today, an estimated 30 society organisation, business, regional other measures that routinely protect million children are the victims of traf- and international agency will take the children in the industrialised world fickers. cause of children’s well-being as one against child-killer diseases, about 10 In May 2000, the United Nations of their own. Move the rights of chil- million children still die each year General Assembly adopted two dren onto every agenda.Work togeth- from diseases that could have been optional protocols, or amendments, er across traditional boundaries, such and should have been prevented. to the 1989 Convention on the Rights as those of social sectors or nation Despite a near-universal consensus on

Global Future — Third Quarter, 2001 1 of the Child. One would protect chil- of physical and sexual abuse that more dren under 18 from serving in armed often than not goes undetected, unre- conflict.The other would protect chil- ported or unpunished. In some MIKEL FLAMM dren from being sold, prostituted or regions of the world, girls in particular used in pornography.While 70 nations are victims of systematic female foeti- have already signed each of these cide and female infanticide. In other amendments, signaling their support, regions, violence is subtle and quieter, the protocols have yet to be ratified and often targeted at girls, as young by the requisite number that would children are denied nutritious food, make them legally binding. Together needed health care and the opportu- with United Nations Secretary- nity to go to school. General Kofi Annan, UNICEF urges that nations move swiftly to bring this Despite the richness protection to their children. Less dramatically but no less of the world’s resources, harmfully, violence may be a routine nearly 600 million part of a young child’s life when they children live in absolute are forced by circumstances into exploitative and dangerous work set- poverty. tings long before their bodies are Perhaps most cruel of all (if the ‘The reality of life for millions of children ready and long before they have com- conflicts with our beliefs and our vision, pleted even the most minimal school- effects of violence can be compared) and challenges every step of our strategy.’ ing. Some 50 to 60 million children is the HIV/AIDS epidemic that has between 5 and 14 years old, according robbed more than 4 million young the Children, UNICEF and World to estimates by the International children of life, 13 million of their par- Vision, came together determined to Labour Organisation, work in what ents, and millions more of care and change the way the world views and treats children. Under the common banner of the Global ‘IN TOLERATING this scourge should not have to be negotiated. Movement for Children, this of war against children we our- Those who wage, legitimise and advocacy coalition is growing selves become complicit. Power support wars must be condemned rapidly as scores of other and greed can never be an excuse and held to account. Children NGOs commit their support and their energies. Expanding for sacrificing children. No one, must be cherished, nurtured, and in increasing contrast to the not the United Nations, not spared the pernicious effects of violence and abuse that is so regional organisations, not govern- war. Children can’t afford to wait.’ much a part of so many young ments, not civil society groups, has lives today, the Global moved quickly enough or done —Graça Machel, The Machel Review, Movement for Children is enough.The international commu- 1996-2000, a Critical Analysis of Progress moving toward that tipping point when an idea becomes a nity, in all of its manifestations, Made and Obstacles Encountered in Increasing Protection for War-affected real force for change. must adopt a new sense of Children. In more than 90 countries urgency.... Children’s protection of the world, the Global Movement for Children has announced itself through the ‘Say Yes for Children’ cam- any adult would consider intolerable protection from adults who are sick paign. First launched in late April 2001, conditions. or frail. One has only to watch one ‘Say Yes for Children’ has introduced a In still other circumstances, hidden person die of AIDS to realise that simple pledge and a list of 10 impera- from view and extraordinarily difficult allowing the epidemic its deadly way is tive actions for children into the pub- to record, untold numbers of children an act of violence against humanity. lic domain.Through national and local campaigns on the ground and via the are abused in places where they A tipping point should expect to be safe: in their Internet (www.gmfc.org), ‘Say Yes for As the 21st century began, several homes. In families throughout the Children’ has already enlisted millions like-minded organisations: BRAC, world, both girls and boys are victims of people in the Global Movement for Netaid.org, PLAN International, Save

2 Third Quarter, 2001 — Global Future Children as presidents and prime min- Secretary-General reports on how harming and exploiting children, listen isters, world figures and village lead- the situation has changed for children, to children, educate every child, pro- ers, teachers and nurses, fire-fighters for better and, sadly, in some cases, for tect children from war, protect the and athletes, children and young peo- worse, in the 10 years since the earth for children, and fight poverty by ple have signed the pledge: ‘I believe Summit, he will lay out what needs to investing in children. that all children have the right to grow be done next. And by the end of this year, mil- in health, peace and dignity.’ lions of people, including the heads of By the end of this year, states, government representatives, The Special Session on international agencies, NGOs and pri- Children and beyond millions of people, vate sector enterprises, who will be at The first results of the ‘Say Yes for including heads of the Special Session on Children, will Children’ campaign will be presented states, NGOs and have heard the message. How we by Nelson Mandela and Graça Machel move forward will be the measure of as leaders and spokespersons for the private sector enter- our commitment. What we do, or Global Movement for Children, during prises, will have heard don’t do, to protect our children from the Special Session on Children, to be the message. violence and disease, to educate every held by the United Nations General child, to promote their healthy lives, Assembly in September 2001. This It is to this time beyond the will be the mark of our leadership. Session was called as a follow-up to Special Session on Children that we Whether we change the world or let ■ the 1990 World Summit for Children, now need to direct our attention. it stay as is will be our legacy. where government representatives ‘Say Yes for Children’ is about as made commitments and set goals and direct a message as can be sent. Leave Carol Bellamy is director of UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund. a 10-year Plan of Action for improving no child out; put children first, care for the lives of children. After the UN every child, fight HIV/AIDS, stop UNICEF/HQ01-0155/NICOLE TOUTOUNJI

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and several children pledge their support for ‘Say Yes for Children’ at United Nations Headquarters.

Global Future — Third Quarter, 2001 3 governments. Canada also co-found- The Human Security Network ed, with Norway, the Human Security Network, a group of 13 countries helps war-affected children committed to working toward international mobilisation on issues related The Hon. John Manley to human security. The Human Security Network* brings together countries from northern and south- TODAY’S CHILDREN will one day World Summit for Children, the inter- ern hemispheres and civil society to lead our societies, build our national community has made signifi- work in close partnership to respond economies and raise our future gen- cant advances in recognising these to challenges such as small arms, land- erations. Children are not, however, challenges and in developing a frame- mines and war-affected children. solely agents for the future.They also work for action. Five years ago, Mme. have key roles in their own families Graça Machel presented her study on and communities here and now. This children and armed conflict to the Children are not solely reality is evident in situations of United Nations. Mme. Machel’s agents for the future. armed conflict, where children are groundbreaking work ultimately led to They have key roles in important participants, either con- the appointment of a Special tributing to peace or perpetuating Representative to the UN Secretary- their own families and cycles of violence. General to address this issue.What is communities now. Regardless of the extent of their currently most needed, in order to individual participation, war-affected build on these positive advances to What makes the Human Security children are forced to cope with con- protect war-affected children, are Network unique is also what makes it ditions of extreme insecurity and are practical measures to be put into effective.The breadth and scope of its vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. action in war-ravaged regions. Such membership allows the Network to Children are caught in the crossfire of measures demand international reach across traditional divisions at modern wars and make up many of mobilisation and co-operation in sup- the United Nations and other interna- the casualties and injured. They are port of assisting war-affected children. tional fora. Consequently, the often recruited to serve armed forces Over the last five years, Canada Network can act as a powerful mech- as combatants, spies or sexual slaves. has helped to mobilise multilateral anism to promote human security They are frequently displaced or action. By bringing together govern- principles and catalyse international orphaned, denied access to critical ments, civil society and youth for the action. This impact is further rein- health and education services and to International Conference on War- forced by the outreach of each indi- the very basics for survival: food, shel- Affected Children in September 2000, vidual country within their respective ter and clean water. an international plan of action was regional organisations and multilateral Since the 1990 United Nations created and endorsed by over 130 groups. For example, Canada pro- motes human security within the G8, while other members promote this perspective within the EU, and still

JON WARREN others, such as Mali, Thailand, Chile and Jordan, all have voices in a wide variety of important coalitions, from the Arab League to the Organisation of American States. What is Human Security? For several years, Canada has championed a ‘people-centred’ foreign policy based on the idea of human security.This perspective allows us to consider the growing challenges to the safety of individuals and to effec- tively address them, whether through security sector reform, strong partnerships with NGOs and other non- state actors, or by exposing the links

4 Third Quarter, 2001 — Global Future between crime and war. Most bers are also committed to importantly, this framework working in co-operation with affirms that lasting peace and JAN DAHRING international and regional stability cannot be achieved organisations and with civil soci- until human security is guaran- ety. The Network recognises teed: when people, including the need to act together to pro- children, are protected from mote a range of inter-related both violent and non-violent actions for war-affected chil- threats. dren, such as monitoring to pre- The changing nature of vent the recruitment of chil- armed conflict, characterised by dren, as well as supporting reha- rising intra-state conflict, loose- bilitation, education, and health ly organised fighting groups, and programmes during and after a growing percentage of civilian conflict. In many cases, the casualties, has had a dispropor- regional outreach of the Human tionate impact on the lives of Security Network fosters children. It destroys their fami- actions at the regional level lies and communities and where implementation efforts undermines their growth and have been the result of the development. Children are efforts made by members and among the most vulnerable their partners. members of any society and The overarching goal of the they require special protection Human Security Network has from dangerous threats. They been to foster consultation and are also in a unique process of action on human security issues growth and development, amongst like-minded govern- meaning that damage done to a ments and non-governmental child can have serious and lifelong Network adopted a Statement on partners, in regional and international implications. Children and Human Security, which fora, in particular, at the United For these reasons, the protection will be presented by Jordan to the Nations. This year, we will come of children and the fulfilment of their General Assembly, to contribute to together as an active force for advanc- rights must be at the forefront of both the priority setting for children over ing a common agenda in an important policy and programming for govern- the next decade. multilateral forum. Our statement on ments and international organisations. Children and Human Security, which When this is not the case, the results The changing nature of will be presented at the UN Special are immediately visible and have a armed conflict has had a Session on Children in September long-lasting impact. Nowhere is this 2001, marks a solid consensus and more obvious than in times of armed disproportionate impact commitment. Using our common conflict. A human security policy on the lives of children. voice, the Network will deliver a recognises these realities and pro- strong message to the members of motes concrete actions to address In addition to raising this issue the United Nations, and, most impor- the insecurity of children. within international and regional fora, tantly, move one step closer to pro- Since its inception in 1998, the the Human Security Network is also tecting children affected by armed Human Security Network has focused promoting concrete measures to conflict. ■ on the security of children, and has address the needs of war-affected chil- contributed to comprehensive efforts dren. It has supported the develop- * Members of the Human Security Network: to address the situation of war-affect- ment of new norms for the interna- Austria, Canada, Chile, Greece, Ireland, Jordan, Mali, ed children. At its most recent tional community, including the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland and Ministerial meeting in Petra, Jordan Optional Protocol to the Convention Thailand. South Africa is an observer. (May 11-12, 2001), the Human on the Rights of the Child on the Security Network made children a involvement of children in armed con- priority for discussions in the lead-up flict, and has pledged to work collec- The Hon. John Manley is Canada’s Foreign to the Special Session on Children tively to promote the Protocol’s early Minister. during the UN General Assembly in entry into force and universalisation. September 2001. In Petra, the Human Security Network mem-

Global Future — Third Quarter, 2001 5 the Economic Community of West Placing war-affected children African States (ECOWAS), the Organisation of American States on the world’s agenda (OAS), the G8, have come to embrace this issue as part of their own agen- Olara A. Otunnu das, through important political decla- rations and commitments. Previously, these organisations had not seen this UNITED NATIONS Secretary- Secretary-General appointed me as issue as belonging to their agendas. General Kofi Annan highlighted the his Special Representative. In 2000, the plight of war-affected children in his UN General Assembly renewed this first report on the subject to the mandate for another three years. United Nations Security Council last Over the past three years, we have ‘OUR COLLECTIVE year. In it, he stated: registered significant progress in mov- failure to protect children ‘Almost one-half of the world’s 21 ing forward the agenda for the pro- must be transformed into million refugees are children, while it tection of war-affected children. an opportunity to confront is estimated that another 13 million Annual debate the problems that cause children have been displaced within their suffering. The impact the borders of their own countries. The UN Security Council formally The number of children under the age affirmed, through Resolution 1261 of armed conflict on chil- of 18 who have been coerced or (1999), that the protection and securi- dren is everyone’s respon- induced to take up arms as child sol- ty of war-affected children is a peace- sibility and must be every- diers is generally thought to be in the and-security concern that belongs in one’s concern.’ range of 300,000.... UNICEF data indi- its agenda. It has now established an —Graça Machel cate that during the decade between annual open debate on this issue. In 1986 and 1996, armed conflicts killed 2000, through Resolution 1314, the 2 million children, injured 6 million, Council put in place specific and con- A series of major international traumatised over 10 million and left crete elements for the protection of conferences devoted to the theme of more than 1 million orphaned....’ children. children affected by armed conflict have helped highlight and develop the agenda. These have included: The London Symposium on Children and JON WARREN Armed Conflict (June 1998); the Tokyo Symposium on Children and Armed Conflict (November 1998); the ECOWAS Ministerial Conference on War-affected children in West Africa (April 2000 in Ghana); the OSCE Human Dimension Seminar on Children and Armed Conflict (May 2000); and the Winnipeg International Conference on War-affected children (September 2000). Although children suffer disproportionately in times of war, until recently they have been absent from peace agendas. This has started to Before he turned 8, Philippe buried his mother and witnessed the slaying of his uncle and change. Child protection has been his grandfather. Experts estimate that 80% of Rwanda’s children suffer from trauma. explicitly mentioned in recent peace agreements for Northern Ireland In 1996, in response to a ground- In the space of only a few years, (1998), Sierra Leone (1999) and breaking report by Graça Machel, the major regional organisations: the Burundi (2000). UN General Assembly created the European Union (EU), the The UN Security Council has sys- mandate for a Special Representative Organisation for Security and Co- tematically incorporated the protec- of the Secretary-General for Children operation in Europe (OSCE), the tion of children into peacekeeping and Armed Conflict. In 1997, the Organisation for African Unity (OAU),

6 Third Quarter, 2001 — Global Future mandates. So far, this has resulted in —New law in Rwanda allowing girls of international discourse on child the placement of child protection pro- to inherit property. protection. visions into the mandates of the UN After six years of difficult negotia- Mission in Sierra Leone, and of the tions, the adoption of the Optional I have visited war-torn UN Observer Mission in Democratic Protocol to the Convention on the Republic of Congo (DRC). Rights of the Child, establishing 18 as countries to bear the minimum age for participation in witness to the suffering Witness to suffering hostilities and compulsory recruit- of children and raise the The establishment of the role of ment, represents a major victory for child protection advisers (CPAs) in war-affected children. I urge all gov- profile of their agenda. UN peacekeeping operations is an ernments to rapidly sign and ratify the important innovation. The first CPAs Optional Protocol. I have made it a priority to engage have now been deployed in Sierra Since the beginning of the man- and collaborate closely with non-gov- Leone and DRC. The UN Security date, I have vigorously advocated ernmental organisations (NGOs). Council reaffirmed in resolution 1314 launching an ‘era of application’ for NGOs have galvanised awareness and (2000) its readiness to include child international and local norms for the commitment, developed important protection advisers in future missions. activities on the ground, helped to I have visited war-torn countries strengthen international standards, to bear witness to the suffering of published important reports that have children, to conduct advocacy on their ROD CURTIS increased knowledge of war-affected behalf, and to raise the domestic and children, formed effective coalitions international profile of their agenda. on various initiatives, and pressured Outcomes of these visits have includ- parties in conflict to protect children. ed commitments from parties to con- There are serious gaps in our flict, an increase in donor resources knowledge of war-affected children. I targeted at war-affected children, and have proposed the development of a a significant growth in advocacy and research agenda that focuses on the programmatic activities by non-gov- following areas: the identification of ernmental organisations. trends in the conduct of warfare that Important commitments for the make possible the victimisation of protection of children have been children; reliable data on the impact of secured from parties in conflict. armed conflict on children; local value During the first mandate, 36 commit- systems that traditionally have pro- ments were obtained, nine of which tected children in times of conflict; have been fully met. On most occa- and the assessment of programme sions, this was the first time that the Alba, a 2-year-old from Kosovo, holds a interventions made by various actors land-mines awareness pamphlet, written on behalf of war-affected children. parties to conflict had given any in colorful drawings for children. undertaking to observe humanitarian The international community and human rights standards. The protection of children in situations of needs to develop special attention and major challenge now is to monitor armed conflict. This proposal was initiatives to address particular areas and enhance adherence to these com- adopted by the Senior Management of vulnerability for war-affected chil- mitments. Group (SMG) chaired by the dren: to provide support for girls and Secretary-General. A task force was internally displaced children; to obtain A major victory established at the United Nations in the release and rehabilitation of During the first mandate, we have 1999, and a report entitled ‘Strategy abducted children; to ensure continu- seen the development of some innov- for an Era of Application of ous access to education in situations ative local initiatives on behalf of war- International Law’ was adopted by of prolonged warfare and immediate affected children. Examples include: SMG and approved by the Secretary- post-conflict periods; and to take —National Commission for War- General in June 2000. action to prevent the spread of affected children in Sierra Leone: the I have strongly advocated the HIV/AIDS in the corridors of armed ■ first body of this kind; importance of local values and norms conflict. —Sudanese Women for Peace: a non- that have traditionally provided for partisan pressure group for peace; the protection of children and United Nations Under-Secretary General Olara A. —Children as a Zone of Peace in Sri Otunnu is Special Representative of the Secretary- women, especially in times of conflict. General for Children and Armed Conflict. Lanka; This has become an important aspect

Global Future — Third Quarter, 2001 7 activities to parents makes it more Child slavery possible for them to support their families themselves rather than having in West Africa and beyond to send their children away to work.

Mike Dottridge A global issue But child slavery is a global issue affecting every continent. It is crucial CHILD SLAVERY captured the (ESAM), found that nine out of ten that governments acknowledge its attention of the world’s news media in children trafficked are girls, and 95% existence and abolish its practice by April.The suspected trafficking of 250 of employers are women. Girls, in par- implementing international and children from Benin to Gabon aboard ticular, are trafficked across borders domestic laws. Since 1999, Anti- the Etireno justifiably shocked the to meet the demand for ‘docile’ and Slavery has been actively urging coun- public. For more than a week the cheap foreign labour, and they can tries to sign, ratify and, most impor- world looked on, anxious over the serve a dual role working in the mar- tantly, implement, the International condition of the children, between 9 ket and as domestics. Boys are also Labour Organisation’s Convention and 12 years old, thought to be vic- trafficked for work in markets as well 182 against the worst forms of child tims of the trafficking trade.At sea for as on plantations and in fishing. labour. It calls on governments to give more than two weeks after being special attention to eradicating child refused permission to land, the boat Trafficked children who slavery and bonded labour, child pros- returned to Benin. Although fewer sell water in Africa’s titution, forced enrolment into armed children were found than originally forces, and health- or life-threatening feared, 43 in all, once the boat finally markets are so common- work. By the end of April,72 countries docked, reports confirmed that some place, even the police had ratified it, but the one country were being trafficked into slavery. buy water from them. with more child workers than any Human trafficking involves the other, India, had not.And a number of movement of people through vio- destination countries for trafficked lence, deception or coercion for the Action at all levels is necessary to combat this trade in children. Grass- children in West Africa, such as purpose of forced labour, servitude or Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire, also have slavery. In West Africa it is prevalent roots programmes raising awareness of children’s rights are crucial in order not. and is an abuse of a traditional system Much remains to be done to end in which wealthier families took care to make the issue and the children visible. The trafficked children who sell child slavery, in West Africa and of a poor relation’s child.Traditionally, beyond. Campaigners like Anti-Slavery these families would provide the chil- water in Africa’s markets are so com- monplace, even the police buy water will continue to press governments to dren with education or training in ratify the convention and to ensure its return for their work. from them. Parents and children in rural areas need to be made aware of implementation, as well as raising Empty promises the realities of life in the city. awareness of the problem locally and internationally. ■ Poverty is at the root of this Awareness-raising programmes are abuse, as is exploitation of the vulner- key, such as the Ghanaian organisation Contact Anti-Slavery International at 020 able by those better off. Traffickers Children in Need’s drama group that 7501 8920, or visit our website at promise families that their children travels across the country. www.antislavery.org for further informa- will be placed in good positions, that Performances inform people about tion on child slavery and other forms of they will be taught useful skills and the hardships and dangers children slavery. To join our campaigns network, earn money to send home. But in real- face in the city, making them aware contact Sonya Maldar at 020 7501 ity, children often find themselves that the promise of wealth and good 8933, or by e-mail at s.maldar@antislav- working in harsh conditions for no work is not the reality. ery.org. money, isolated from their family, Poverty alleviating programmes community and culture. They are are also crucial to combating child trafficking. Tomorrow Children in Mike Dottridge is director of Anti-Slavery under the trafficker’s and employer’s International. complete control, vulnerable to vio- Ghana and ESAM in Benin have set up lence, abuse and exploitation. micro-credit systems for women so Anti-Slavery’s 1999 study of child they can afford to send their children trafficking from Benin to Gabon, pro- to school. Both have been successful duced with our Benin partner Enfants in helping women develop local busi- Solidaires d’Afrique et du Monde nesses. Teaching income-generating

8 Third Quarter, 2001 — Global Future term stability and development of Children: a forbidden societies. Often, conflict situations can seem weapon of war beyond our influence and control. But in the past few years, governments, Rory Mungoven United Nations bodies, non-governmental organisations, and religious and civil groups have mobilised world- STARK IMAGES of child soldiers often obscures the plight of thousands wide to stop the use of children as are no longer uncommon in today’s of girls, used both on the front lines soldiers. The international NGO, society. Sometimes as young as 10, or and in support roles. Coalition to Stop the Use of Child even younger, they stare at us from The involvement of children in Soldiers, has been at the forefront of magazine and newspaper pages, fighting often puts other children at this campaign. It was formed in May dressed in uniforms too large for their risk, as everyone becomes an object 1998 by leading NGOs to seek to end small frames, or sports gear that of suspicion and a potential target. the military recruitment and partici- belongs in a park. They stand ready, Many children suffer physical abuse pation in armed conflict of all children holding high-powered weapons that and other privations. In extreme under 18 years of age. are often bigger than they are. cases, child soldiers are driven to sui- Today, more than 300,000 children cide or murder when they can no are fighting as soldiers in more than longer bear the mistreatment. Involving children in 30 countries around the world. In Many of these children are forcibly fighting often puts other struggles that increasingly focus on recruited at gunpoint, but often it is children at risk, as civilian populations, children have poverty, propaganda and alienation become not only targets, but also that drive them into armies, paramili- everyone becomes an weapons of war. taries and militias. Some join armed object of suspicion. While much attention has been groups because of abuse they experi- focused on Africa, where more than enced at the hands of state authori- Today, with more than 400 NGOs 100,000 children are fighting across ties. Even when peace is achieved, the world-wide lending their support, we the region from Angola to Sierra demobilisation, rehabilitation and rein- have researched and monitored the Leone, no area of the world is exempt tegration of former child combatants dimensions of the problem in every from this problem. Child soldiers are pose a major challenge for the long- region of the world. We have held fighting in many of Asia’s forgotten landmark regional conferences and conflicts, from the southern developed national campaigns in Philippines and Myanmar to Sri more than 40 countries. And we Lanka and Afghanistan. Armed have documented and shared prac- groups in Turkey and Kosovo have JOHN SCHENK tical experience in prevention, recruited children from European rehabilitation and reintegration countries. Child soldiers have been programs. used by governments and armed As a result of this campaign, groups in many parts of Latin there have been some important America, particularly Colombia, developments in the international Paraguay and Peru. And, over the legal framework on this issue. The past two decades, countless thou- 1989 Convention on the Rights of sands of children were sacrificed in the Child had long represented a the Middle East, particularly during major breakthrough in the protec- the Iran-Iraq war and the civil con- tion of children, but set a weaker flicts in Algeria, Lebanon, Sudan and standard for those involved in Yemen. armed conflict. Ten years on, governments at the United Nations Spies and porters have now agreed to a new Not all children end up on the Optional Protocol to the front lines. Many are used as spies Children’s Convention that will ban and porters, as ‘safe’ carriers for the use of children under the age bombs. Sometimes they are used as of 18 in armed conflicts. The sexual slaves. The commonly por- Optional Protocol: trayed images of boys with guns —prohibits governments and

Global Future — Third Quarter, 2001 9 guidelines. With most military forces engaged primarily in peacekeeping JACOB AKOL duties, and using increasingly sophisti- cated technology, more emphasis is being placed on the maturity, education and technical skills of armed forces personnel. Long-term consequences Even some rebel groups, seeking recognition and legitimacy within the international community, have acknowledged the principle.The challenge is making these groups live up to their promises. Today’s opposition groups are sometimes tomorrow’s governments, and will have to deal with the long-term consequences of this abuse. Some industrialised countries have gone against this trend, claiming that Youthful soldiers in the Liberia Peace Council forces of Major General Ruth Ateelah the move from a conscript army and brandish automatic rifles. One sports a hand grenade, hanging from his shirt pocket. declining enlistment levels means they armed groups from using children A new International Labour must look to under-18 school-leavers. under the age of 18 in conflict; Organisation Convention prohibits But the rationale for these recruit- —bans all compulsory recruitment of forced recruitment under 18 as one of ment policies is more insidious, and under-18s; the worst forms of child labour. This not so far removed from that used by —bans voluntary recruitment of has already triggered action against armed groups: studies in military psy- under-18s by armed groups; Myanmar, one of the largest users of chology show it is much easier to —raises the minimum age for volun- child soldiers in the world. The UN condition young, immature minds to tary recruitment by governments Security Council has called for con- kill. Ironically, this is one human rights from the current standard of 15 years, certed international action to end this issue on which Asian and African and requires strict safeguards in its abuse, along with a number of region- countries have been pressing for a implementation. al intergovernmental organisations higher international standard than Since its adoption in May 2000, 79 such as the Economic Community of some of their Western critics! governments have signed or ratified West African States, the Organisation The time has come to put the use this new standard, laying the founda- of African Unity, the Organisation of of children as weapons of war on the tion for a truly global ban. The American States, and the Organisation same moral footing as the use of land- Coalition is campaigning for universal for Security and Co-operation in mines or chemical and biological ratification of the Optional Protocol Europe. weapons: simply unacceptable in any in the lead-up to the UN General circumstances. Assembly Special Session on Children Studies in military And the time has come to listen to this September. the voices of those children who have psychology show it is been exploited as soldiers themselves. War crime much easier to condition As one 15-year-old girl abducted by The past two years have seen young, immature minds the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda other important developments in once said: ‘I would like to give you a international law. The new to kill. message. Please do your best to tell International Criminal Court will the world what is happening to us, the treat the forced recruitment and use More and more governments children, so that other children don’t of children under 15 as a war crime. around the world are raising the age have to pass through this violence.’ ■ There will be an important first test of of recruitment to their armed forces this principle, hopefully, when prose- to the 18 standard.The UN Secretary- Rory Mungoven is co-ordinator of the Coalition to cutions are brought before the new General has set 18 as a minimum age Stop the Use of Child Soldiers. For further infor- Special Court being established to try for UN peacekeepers. Regional bodies mation on the Coalition’s activities, visit their website at www.child-soldiers.org. war crimes in Sierra Leone. are developing their own policies and

10 Third Quarter, 2001 — Global Future have their next meal. Decisions on Violence reverberates food security, access to health care, education and clean water are in the through the generations hands of a few while the majority of the population is dependent on those Watt Santatiwat who hold the purse strings.While the United Nations and the World Bank negotiate infrastructure repairs and SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Sophia looked Had we, as an international communi- social service contracts for the on in horror as a militiaman hacked ty, learned nothing from the genocide pledged $166 million for the Trust her mother to death with a machete. in Rwanda, or from the violence in the Fund for East Timor (TFET) the situa- The same machete then sliced 70s in Cambodia, or the many other tion in the communities has not between Sofia’s eyes and nose, scar- places where children have been sub- improved much. Little money is flow- ring her for life. Then she turned and jected to cruel and brutal violence? ing to NGOs, who have a greater saw her father, attempting to flee, How long will it be before the world long-term commitment toward the crumple to his death after being learns to protect that which was people than transitional authorities stabbed in the back. enshrined and signed by most coun- usually do. Unlike the situation in Sophia will carry her physical scars Cambodia, NGOs in East Timor have for life. But it is the deeper and far The people of East limited or restricted access to funds. more wrenching emotional scars that In the interest of easy administration, will affect her view of the world, and Timor need the kind of and to establish overall control, many probably the worldview carried by the support that was given donors have decided to channel their next generations in her family. to Cambodia by the funds through the TFET. However, this Encouraged in 1999 to cast their single font of funding has left East vote under United Nations-super- world community. Timor without the flexibility to meet vised elections, the people of East needs as they arise. Many cash- Timor were betrayed when the inter- tries in the United Nations’ charter strapped NGO have even left East national community and the United on children’s rights? Timor, while UNTAET continues to Nations fled as Indonesian troops and Today’s adults in Cambodia were try to define a role for those that militia unleashed a reign of terror children during Pol Pot’s genocidal remain. while briefly re-taking control of East Khmer Rouge regime, and many now Today, the people of East Timor Timor. In September that year, during have children of their own. Cambodia need the kind of support that was the two weeks following East Timor’s is still going through the throes of given by the world community to the overwhelming vote for indepen- rebirth, and the population today con- people of Cambodia. Thousands of dence from Indonesia’s 25-year rule, tinues to pay a price for the violence children like Sophia need post-trau- the militia and the Indonesian army their parents suffered. matic stress counselling, but there is laid waste virtually every infrastruc- no funding for this. Nor is there ade- ture and building in the world’s Jump-start in Cambodia quate funding to sustain health care, newest country. Sophia was one But recovery in Cambodia has or to bring sustainable food security. among thousands of children they come relatively quickly.This is because Neither has the world community killed, maimed or traumatised. The the United Nations and the world been able to bring to justice those International Rehabilitation Council community paid close attention and who perpetrated crimes against those for Torture Victims, (IRCT) reports invested in jump-starting and rebuild- like Sophia and her family. that 97% of the respondents of a ing that decimated land. The world Twenty months have not diluted survey conducted in East Timor community was willing to take higher the shock suffered by Sofia and her in July 2000 experienced at least risks with its investments. Hospitals remaining family members.The world one traumatic event during the were built for children, immunisation community failed to protect the rights Indonesian occupation. At least 34% was carried out, and training was pro- of the East Timorese children. Sadly, of that group are suffering from post- vided to bring about a semblance of a their shock is being prolonged due to traumatic stress disorder. Several tens civil society. Cambodia has not a lack of resources. ■ of thousands, forcefully uprooted and become an idyllic place for children, separated from their families, still re- but it is moving in the right direction. Watt Santatiwat is vice president for World Vision’s live that horror in refugee camps in By contrast, today in East Timor,20 Asia-Pacific Region. West Timor, where services are inad- months after the referendum, Sophia equate for their needs. and her remaining extended family How could this have happened? members are not sure when they will

Global Future — Third Quarter, 2001 11 for assistance. They are beaten in Protecting their rights order to extort money, and street girls may be forced to provide sex to Jo Becker avoid arrest or to be released from police custody. A Kenyan boy told Human Rights Watch, ‘We usually carry sacks (for garbage picking). The police beat us and put us in our sacks, A MEDICAL TEAM visiting a cor- lence are millions of abandoned and even if we’re just walking around, rectional school in Pakistan reported orphaned children who are depen- doing nothing. If you don’t give them that nearly 60% of the children there dent on the state for care. Many are money, they take you to the station. had been tortured, enduring severe placed in grossly substandard facilities Usually they ask us questions about beatings, electric shocks, and being where they are subjected to appalling thefts that have happened.They search hung upside down. They were also levels of cruelty and neglect. In Russia, us. If we have money, they take it.’ subjected to a practice known as where children have been abandoned Children are often detained by ‘cheera’, (stretching apart the victim’s to the state at a rate of more than police without sufficient cause, and legs, sometimes in combination with kicks to the genitalia). A boy being detained in Guatemala reported,‘In the adult pris- ‘MASSIVE and gross viola- demned. Impunity for war ons, you have to pay money to get a tions against children contin- crimes against children must place to sleep. Otherwise you sleep ue unabated. Death, rape, end. National sovereignty on the floor, in the garbage.... Boys mutilation, forced recruit- must never shield those who are put in with the adults are ment, displacement, injury directly and indirectly respon- often raped. This is very common.... and malnourishment are a sible for committing such The guards don’t pay any attention.’ Isolated incidents in remote cor- few of the grave conse- heinous crimes. National and ners of the globe? Hardly.Throughout quences. These atrocities international action must be the world, in developing and industri- must not be tolerated as taken to hold accountable all alised countries alike, children are either inevitable or accept- such perpetrators and those subject to unconscionable violence. In able side-effects of war.Those who support them.’ their homes, communities, schools who wage, legitimise, and sup- and other institutions, children are —Graça Machel vulnerable to life-threatening abuses port wars must be con- that are often perpetrated by the very individuals charged with their safety and well-being. 100,000 per year, a Human Rights then subject to brutal interrogations Watch investigation revealed that chil- and torture in order to elicit confes- Perpetrators are rarely dren in orphanages may be restrained sions or information. In Pakistan, in investigated, creating in cloth sacks, tethered by a limb to May 1998, a 13-year old boy died, just furniture, beaten, or locked in freezing hours after being arrested, from a culture of impunity, rooms for days at a time. A Moscow severe and prolonged torture in a and allowing the orphan told Human Rights Watch in police station in Mansehra. Police con- violence to continue. 1998,‘When I was little, a staff person ducting interrogations in Turkey have put my head in the toilet and beat me suspended naked children by their on the behind, hips and arms.... Of Why is violence against children arms and applied electric shocks to course, a kid couldn’t do anything or sensitive parts of the body. so pervasive? Perpetrators are rarely say anything.We were so afraid of her.’ investigated or prosecuted, creating a Once placed in juvenile and crimi- culture of impunity and allowing the Easy targets nal correctional institutions, children are frequently subjected to mistreat- violence to continue. Institutions are Children are also often subject to ment and abuse, including severe cor- often closed to outside scrutiny. violence at the hands of police. Street poral punishment, torture, forced Children generally have no mecha- children are especially easy targets labour, denial of food, isolation, nisms for reporting abuse.Those who because they are poor, young, and restraints, sexual assaults and harass- do speak out may face retaliation. often ignorant of their rights, and lack- ment.As mentioned above, such cases Among children vulnerable to vio- ing any adults to whom they can turn

12 Third Quarter, 2001 — Global Future MIKEL FLAMM

Children like these in Ho Chi Minh City often turn to the streets in order to escape broken families or domestic violence. are not restricted to developing coun- bleeding). At times, beatings by teach- children. Caregivers and law enforce- tries. In the United States, children in ers left children permanently disfig- ment agents who abuse children must Georgia have been incarcerated in jail- ured, disabled or dead. be held accountable for their actions, like facilities, where they may be and when warranted, be dismissed bound to a bed by their wrists and Children may be bound from their jobs and subjected to crim- ankles as a disciplinary measure, or inal charges. Abuses must be brought stripped and shackled to a toilet for to a bed by their wrists to light through on-going, active mon- showing signs of suicidal behaviour. and ankles as a itoring by governments, non-govern- disciplinary measure. mental organisations and the news Caning, slapping, whipping media. And public campaigns must Even in schools, intended to nur- Many acts of violence are seen as promote the rights of children among ture the development of children, vio- lamentable, yet isolated incidents, families, caregivers, law enforcement lence may be a regular part of a child’s rather than part of a global phenome- professionals, teachers and others experience. In many countries, corpo- non.Attitudes have also been slow to who come in contact with children. ral punishment is still permitted as change. While physical abuse by men Finally, children need advocates: part of school ‘discipline’. In Kenya, against their wives and female part- caring adults who are willing to sup- before the government recently acted ners is now broadly condemned, phys- port children in their right to be free to prohibit corporal punishment in ical abuse against children is still toler- from abuse, and speak out and take the schools, teachers used caning, ■ ated and even encouraged as a form action when that right is violated. slapping and whipping to maintain of discipline. classroom discipline and to punish To protect the dignity, safety and Jo Becker is the Children’s Rights Advocacy children for poor academic perfor- Director for Human Rights Watch, the largest well-being of children, several mea- mance.The infliction of corporal pun- human rights organisation in the United States. sures are necessary. Governments Over the last decade, Human Rights Watch has ishment was frequently routine, arbi- must ensure that all forms of violence published more than 20 reports dealing with vio- trary and often brutal, resulting in against children are prohibited by law, lence against children. bruises, cuts and severe injuries (bro- and that vigorous steps are taken to ken bones, knocked-out teeth, internal investigate all acts of violence against

Global Future — Third Quarter, 2001 13 In a few countries, corporal pun- Children as targets of torture ishment may be administered to children convicted of certain offences. In Sir Nigel Rodley one country, it was reported that children as young as 12 years old have been subjected to flogging. Wards of the state WHILE THERE IS no evidence to Even when children are held separate- Children have also been subjected suggest that children suffer torture or ly,prison personnel may lack the train- to cruel, inhuman or degrading treat- ill treatment in disproportionate fre- ing to deal with the special requirement in non-penal institutions. Unlike quency compared with adults, or that ments of juvenile detention. most adults, children can be deprived children are generally subjected to Children are often detained in of their liberty in a variety of legal set- particular forms of torture or ill treat- unsanitary conditions, leaving them tings other than those related to the ment applied uniquely to them in their exposed to the risk of disease and criminal justice system, and are thus status as children, there remains a real other health problems. In some cases, reported to be particularly vulnerable problem that needs addressing. This the provision of food is inadequate, to some forms of torture or ill treat- necessity derives from the considera- resulting in instances of malnutrition ment in an institutional environment. tion that children are necessarily and, in extreme cases, starvation.This Foster care systems and residential more vulnerable to the effects of tor- problem is manifested in the not institutions caring for children who ture and, because they are in the crit- uncommon practice of child detainees become wards of the state after being ical stages of physical and psychologi- being left dependent on family mem- orphaned or removed from parental cal development, may suffer graver bers bringing food to places of deten- care for their own protection are in consequences than similarly ill-treated tion or of the detainees or their fam- some cases alleged to permit inhuman adults. Furthermore, like adults, chil- ilies being required to make payments forms of discipline or extreme forms dren may be tortured or ill treated in to the authorities in order to receive of neglect. Particularly in the case of a surrogate capacity, where the adequate and decent food. Many pris- extremely young children, such abuses intended target is in fact the child’s ons and other detention centres can amount to cruel and inhuman parents or other relatives or a friend. where children are kept are also treatment. State workers in care insti- In such cases, the motive for torturing bereft of any or adequate medical tutions are sometimes poorly trained the child may be to force an individual facilities. Moreover, the absence of and supervised, and are, in many cases, connected to the child to confess or recreational and educational facilities able, not necessarily with official give information or to inflict punish- may adversely affect the mental and approval, but owing to insufficient ment upon that person. emotional well-being and develop- monitoring, to subject children to Some children have reportedly ment of detained children. physical, emotional or sexual abuse been subjected to lengthy periods of that would rarely be tolerated in juve- pre-trial confinement in police lock- Police have resorted to nile justice institutions. ups and other places of detention. In severe beatings, sexual Children being cared for in institu- this context, it should be noted that, tions can also be particularly vulnera- as is true with respect to adult assault and, in extreme ble to torture and ill treatment not detainees, conditions of pre-trial cases, extra-judicial only because of their young age, but detention may be particularly con- executions. because of the over-representation of ducive to torture or ill treatment. children from particularly vulnerable Children with adult prisoners One class of children that has groups among those institutionalised. Former street children, refugee and Another problem, reported to be notably been targeted for torture and internally displaced children, unac- widespread in many regions of the ill treatment by some police units is companied child asylum-seekers, chil- world, is that of overcrowding of chil- the so-called street children. Such dren considered as illegal migrants, dren’s cells, both in places of pre-trial children, in order to survive, live and children from minority groups, and detention and in prisons. The lack of sometimes work on the streets with- children who have previously suffered adequate space and facilities has in out adult supervision or companion- abuse from public officials or within some situations resulted in children ship. In operations aimed at ‘socially the family are more likely to be cared being held together with adult cleansing’ the streets of such children, for in institutions. As members of detainees or prisoners, a circumstance police have resorted to severe beat- marginalised groups, they are less like- that leaves them vulnerable to violent ings, sexual assault and, in extreme ly to be able to make formal com- attacks, as well as damaging influence. cases, extrajudicial executions.

14 Third Quarter, 2001 — Global Future plaints of cruel and inhuman or tation of limbs. Amnesties negotiated jected to torture or other cruel, inhu- degrading treatment. Discriminatory in the aftermath of armed conflict are man or degrading treatment or pun- attitudes toward some vulnerable argued to have granted impunity to ishment,’ that ‘every child deprived of groups can mean that they are per- state, paramilitary or non-governmen- liberty shall be treated with humanity ceived as being less credible in their tal forces that in some cases have and respect for the inherent dignity of allegations or not fully entitled to an committed extreme forms of torture the human person, and in a manner equal standard of protection. on children. which takes into account the needs of Children have been subjected to persons of his or her age,’ and that extreme forms of torture as a result Attacks on their own families ‘every child deprived of liberty shall of armed conflict situations. The fail- In addition, the forcible recruit- be separated from adults unless it is ure of some states to protect them ment of children into armed forces considered in the child’s best interest has been a serious concern.Violations has also been reported in a number of not to do so.’ reported during armed conflict countries. Children are said to have Finally, I would also encourage include severe forms of torture and been forcibly recruited at a some- states to ratify the Optional Protocol other forms of ill treatment inflicted times very young age, in violation of to the Convention on the Rights of on child civilians and children recruit- international human rights standards, the Child on the involvement of chil- ed into armed forces, allegedly by and forced to carry out traumatic dren in armed conflict, adopted by the state as well as non-governmental attacks on their own families and General Assembly in its resolution forces. All parties to armed conflicts, communities. 54/263 of May 2000. ■ be they of an international character In addition to the international or not, are bound by humanitarian law instruments which proscribe torture Sir Nigel Rodley KBE is the United Nations’ Special principles which prohibit torture and generally, I would draw attention to Rapporteur on Torture, and a professor in the the Convention on the Rights of the Department of Law, University of Essex in other forms of cruel treatment, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, UK. including mutilation. In one country, Child, particularly article 37, wherein the latter reportedly included such state parties are required to ensure, brutal forms of torture as the ampu- inter alia, that ‘no child shall be sub-

The faces of violence the murders of street children, and a of those abuses were allegedly com- noticeable increase in the sexual mitted by members of the police in Latin America exploitation of minors. While exact forces. numbers of children affected are The growing levels of violence David Westwood unknown, available data may only are attributable to factors such as reveal the tip of the iceberg. poverty, the growing gulf between A SPIRALLING LEVEL of vio- In Colombia, increasing numbers the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’; the lence is one of the key problems fac- of children are being killed, orphaned lack of educational and employment ing Latin America as this new centu- and recruited by all parties to the opportunities and hope, especially ry begins. According to the conflict. Out of 1.9 million people amongst the youth; and the increas- InterAmerican Development Bank, displaced by the conflict, an estimat- ing marginalisation of a large sector homicides in the region increased ed 65% are children surrounded by of the population. There are other 44% between 1984 and 1994, and violence.The availability of small arms exacerbating factors. Several coun- murder rates are now the world’s following the military largesse of the tries in the region are suffering from second highest after sub-Saharan Cold War era also makes Central the legacies of past conflicts. The Africa. In Mexico, for example, violent America, in particular, a hotbed. existence of an abundance of small crime tripled between 1990 and arms in countries like El Salvador, for 1996, and Brazil has a murder rate A culture of violence example, greatly exacerbates the comparable to that of a country in Very often, the state is a complic- impact of the problem. Similarly, the civil war. it actor in a culture of violence, race/ethnicity issue lurks in the back- Studies show that between 30% either through direct involvement or ground, and occasionally flares up in and 50% of women in Latin America by allowing violence to be commit- countries such as Ecuador and suffer from psychological violence in ted with impunity. In Central Bolivia, as evidenced by recent their homes, and between 10% and America, a total of 87% of abuses protests in both countries. ■ 35% are affected by physical violence. reported by Casa Alianza against Of great concern is the escalation street children have not been suc- David Westwood is regional director for advocacy of violence against children, including cessfully prosecuted, and nearly 40% for World Vision’s Latin America region.

Global Future — Third Quarter, 2001 15 racism. All of these will occur before Are we making progress? the Second World Congress against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation Hélene Sackstein of Children. By then, public compas- sion, and finances, may be overtaxed. Grassroots programmes A great deal of financial support is WE KNOW that statistics can be an exponential increase in victims and needed to promote new causes. This unreliable, and that they can be manip- abusers with every generation. is frequently done to the detriment of ulated to support the ‘truth’ of the Where commercial sexual exploi- previous ones, and through the deple- day, be it honourable or not. But the tation is concerned, we are still tion of initiatives already underway. sheer magnitude of some figures addressing the supply side: children, The impact of grassroots programmes makes us pause, and cannot be dis- but little is being done to deal with takes a long time to assess and mea- missed. Many sources, for instance the consumers of sex with children, sure.They need continuity in order to have agreed that: particularly local ones, who might be bear fruit, but, instead, find themselves —Hundreds of millions of children our neighbours.When they are called in competition with new issues, and under age 15 work. paedophiles, the world musters some with donors shifting their support to —Some 200 million children have no indignation, unaware that true pae- the trend of the year. access to any kind of education—the dophiles represent a small portion of Nevertheless, the Second World majority of these being the girls who child abusers and exploiters. Congress offers an opportunity to will bring up tomorrow’s children. In a market-obsessed world, we reconsider sexual violence, abuse and —Millions of children have died in still seem to ignore the fact that exploitation, commercial and non- armed conflict, more have been demand creates supply, or that mar- commercial, not as separate issues, wounded, and even more are serious- kets are made profitable through the but as problems that need to raise ly traumatised. promotion of demand, in the lucrative similar questions before we find effec- —Each year, at least 1 million children sex industry as in all other economic tive and relevant responses. A first are trapped in the sex trade. Most are activities. step could be more widespread sup- girls. However, we now know that port for a serious, in-depth, world- untold numbers are also boys. In a market-obsessed wide study on all forms of violence At the dawn of the 21st century, world, we still seem to inflicted upon children, their root violence against children is pervasive, causes, dire and costly consequences, and sexual violence is an ever-present ignore the fact that and the vicious, destructive circles element of the many forms it takes. demand creates supply. they create. It has been nearly five years since In an era obsessed with productiv- the first World Congress against the And we have not heeded the ity, we may even ask if it might be Commercial Sexual Exploitation of youths who said loud and clear in more cost-effective to acknowledge Children opened a Pandora’s Box of 1996 that they are not the problem, the high incidence of sexual abuse, interconnected forms of violence but the solution. even in the family, rather than concen- against children. There was plenty of There may be an opportunity to trate on stop-gap measures to limit evidence in 1996 that commercial reconsider all these issues at the the resulting damage. This ack-nowl- sexual exploitation of a child doesn’t Second World Congress Against the edgement may also lead to the adop- happen in a vacuum. It was made clear Commercial Sexual Exploitation of tion of coherent prevention policies in panels and workshops that it was a Children, hosted by the Japanese gov- and prompt states to consider allocat- crosscutting issue, with multiple caus- ernment, taking place 17-20 ing the needed resources to compre- es that extend well beyond poverty, December this year in Yokohama. hensive social programmes. ■ which is often cited as the driving In the past few years, the world’s force behind sexual abuse and imagination has been captured by a Hélene Sackstein is Co-ordinator of the Focal Point exploitation. succession of global causes: child on Sexual Exploitation, the NGO group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child.This article Exponential increase labour, child soldiers, women and the represents the opinion of the author and does not girl child, HIV/AIDS revisited.This year Many studies have found a link necessarily reflect the views of the members of will have a Special Session of the the NGO group. between experiences of sexual abuse General Assembly on Children, and in children and a pattern of either vic- another on HIV/AIDS, as well as an timisation or sexual aggression in international conference against adulthood. This raises the spectre of

16 Third Quarter, 2001 — Global Future parties who submit their reports to Actions speak louder the Committee on the Rights of the Child in compliance with the UN than words Convention on the Rights of the Child. According to ECPAT’s most Josephine de Linde recent study, about 50 countries now have prepared, or are in the process of preparing, national plans of action. CHILDREN HAVE NOT always Prostitution in Asian Tourism, and the been on the human rights agenda. ECPAT campaign was launched. Four new treaties Indeed, treating children as beings in In August 1996, in Stockholm, the Furthermore, important legislative their own right, with their own partic- Swedish government hosted the First changes, exemplified by new laws in ular needs, is a relatively recent devel- World Congress against the Thailand, Italy, Japan and the United opment. It was just a few decades ago Commercial Sexual Exploitation of States, have been made since 1996, that the United Nations Universal Children, which brought the sordid and there have been some key cases Declaration of Human Rights, adopted horror of sexual abuse and exploita- against perpetrators of child sexual by the General Assembly in 1948, at abuse. A number of countries have last introduced the idea that mothers adopted extra-territorial laws or have and children are entitled to special reformed laws to make them more assistance.The UN’s 1959 Declaration PHILIP MAHER effective against the commercial sexu- states in a preamble that ‘mankind al exploitation of children. owes the child the best it has to give’. Another encouraging develop- But it was the 1989 UN ment at international level has been Convention on the Rights of the Child the adoption of at least four new (UNCRC) that, for the first time, treaties against one or more manifes- insisted that the best interest of the tations of the commercial sexual child be a basic requirement for all exploitation of children: actions concerning children. —The Optional Protocol to the Interest in children’s welfare and Convention on the Rights of the Child protection has since become world- on the sale of children, child prostitu- wide, due in part to the interest and tion and child pornography, which has publicity generated by the UNCRC. been adopted by the international But that was more than 10 years ago. community, and was opened for signa- How has this come about? ture/ratification in 2000. A Cambodian girl is comforted by her Roots in Asia mother after being rescued from a brothel. —The International Labour Organisa- tion’s Convention 182, covering the The experience of ECPAT (End tion of children to the attention of the prohibition and immediate action for Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism) world. A key outcome of the Con- the elimination of the worst forms of provides a good illustration of how gress was the Declaration and Agenda increased awareness, partnership and for Action, adopted by the 122 gov- The commercial sexual expertise came about through work- ernments who were there.These pro- ing on a specific issue within the over- vide a practical guide and checklist of exploitation of children all framework of children’s rights. essential actions, as well as integrated takes many forms, and ECPAT got its start in 1990, with measures to be implemented. all need to be attacked. the combined efforts of a small num- Stockholm became the reference ber of individuals, church groups and point for international actions and child labour, has been adopted and is associations in four Southeast Asian national policies. The 122 govern- open for ratification. countries: Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand ments who adopted the Declaration —The Protocol to prevent, suppress and the Philippines. These individuals and Agenda for Action committed and punish trafficking in persons, had been monitoring the negative themselves to ensuring better protec- especially women and children, sup- effects of mass tourism in their tion for children.Two other states that plementing the UN Convention region. At a conference being held in were not at Stockholm have since against trans-national organised crime Chiang Mai, Thailand, that year, they declared their intentions to try to 2000. sounded the alarm. They called on meet those goals. —The creation of the International ‘tourist-sending’ countries in Europe The Agenda for Action has Criminal Court (ICC) was adopted in to join forces with them to End Child become the reference point for state

Global Future — Third Quarter, 2001 17 1998 and is open to signature and rat- tion.’ ECPAT moved from being a cam- In 2000, the World Tourism ification by states. The Court’s juris- paign targeting one aspect of child Organisation adopted a Global Code diction is universal, but complemen- abuse in a particular region of the of Ethics for Tourism. It also set up a tary to national jurisdiction. world to being an international organ- Task Force on Tourism and Child The partnership engendered by isation with a broader mandate and Prostitution.The Tourism industry has the first World Congress began a enlarged field of activity. passed a number of charters and process of inter-agency co-operation ECPAT took on the role of moni- codes of conduct enjoining their and support for millions of the world’s toring the implementation of the members to support efforts to com- most marginalised children. Stockholm Agenda for Action, and has bat sex tourism. After Stockholm, ECPAT took published an annual report since And there is now greater aware- stock. The research and experience 1996. The 2000 report was published ness and understanding of the need to gained from six years of campaigning in five languages. It also helps to devel- involve young people in decision-mak- had shown that the commercial sexu- op the capacity of its own groups, and ing, implementing and evaluating activ- al exploitation of children, far from that of other NGOs around the ities against the commercial sexual being a Southeast Asian phenomenon, world, to combat the sexual abuse exploitation of children. was a global one, and was on the and exploitation of children in their Finally, some groups, the European increase. It encompassed both devel- countries, and to lobby and work Union in particular, have agreed to oped and developing countries, and toward establishing national plans of allocate new resources to protecting was linked to the forces of supply and action. children. demand that had, in their turn, When the first Congress took become trans-national. Joining forces place, the issue of the commercial The commercial sexual exploita- Following Stockholm, more organ- sexual exploitation of children was tion of children takes many forms, and isations and institutions decided to hardly recognised. Today, no country all need to be attacked. ECPAT’s mis- join forces to reinforce efforts to pro- can pretend to be ignorant, or claim it sion became to ‘eliminate child prosti- tect children from sexual exploitation. is immune. ECPAT and other NGOs tution, child pornography and traffick- And there has been greater co-opera- who have concentrated their efforts ing in children for sexual purposes, tion, too, among law enforcers in sev- on combating such exploitation have, and to work to seek to encourage the eral countries, with more co-ordinat- in the process, become specialised in world community to ensure that chil- ed action by the international police research, legislation, child sex tourism, dren everywhere enjoy their funda- organisation, Interpol. In addition, and the recovery and reintegration of mental rights, free and secure from all there has been fruitful co-operation child victims. All the while, they have forms of commercial sexual exploita- with NGOs. continued working to implement the Agenda for Action at national and regional levels. The fight against the commercial newfrom sexual exploitation of children is world vision publications clearly on the political agenda, and is now recognised as a major concern in children’s rights. The vast amount of PRECARIOUS STATES knowledge, experience and expertise Debt and Government Service acquired over the years is there, ready Provision to the Poor to be put to work in the service of the Alan Whaites, editor world’s children. But words on paper, In many poor countries, debt payments alone exceed the funding of health and education whether conventions, legislation or programs combined.World Vision attempts to well-intentioned projects, will always 79 pp. elevate the debate on debt, conditionality and remain just that unless translated into 2001 state capacity to a globally applicable level with effective action. The international X-004 these case studies from Ecuador. $6.95 community must move forward until Precarious States examines the chain effect of service-provision loans (and the resulting their actions speak louder than their mountain of debt) as resources to government, words. ■ health and education are systematically denied. Josephine de Linde is chairperson of ECPAT International. call to order: 001-626-301-7720 1-800-777-7752US

18 Third Quarter, 2001 — Global Future ment is widespread. Perceived impuni- On the streets in Cambodia ty from prosecution is one of the major factors that draws paedophiles Laurence Gray and sex tourists to a country where children are cheap and accessible. Brothels at border crossings Trafficking of women and children COUNTRIES WHERE rule of law on the street.Among the findings: within Cambodia and across the bor- is strong have mechanisms to protect —41% had witnessed domestic vio- der at Poipet or Koh Kong is increas- all their citizens, not just the powerful. lence at home ing. For US$0.25, the cost of a one-day These include not only legal systems, —56% had witnessed the beating of a permit, traffickers can sell women and but also health care and human ser- close relative children in Thailand for as much as vices. Public debate enables views to —3% had witnessed the killing of a US$500 for one week. Cambodian be expressed, and for police, the judi- close relative women sold in this manner have been ciary and government to be held —20% had heard of the killing of a traced as far afield as Hong Kong, accountable. Change is possible close relative Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and even through mechanisms of good gover- —58% had been beaten themselves Europe. Some 100 to 150 child beg- nance and appropriate resources. —42% had witnessed a robbery gars are returned to Poipet every But things are different in —71% had witnessed a car or motor- week. And brothels at border cross- Cambodia. cycle accident ings have noticeably higher percent- As with other less developed —23% had been involved in a car or ages of workers with HIV: up to 65%, countries, Cambodia does not have motorcycle accident in some areas. this level of capacity or resource. —8% had witnessed a rape The international community has Here, the scale and nature of violence —49% had heard of an instance of to take some responsibility. However, affecting children, for instance, rape the question of who can take action remains unacceptably high. More than —11% had witnessed a kidnapping to change the situation is too often half of all Cambodian children are mal- —65% had heard of an instance of met with indifference. And children, nourished. Half a million children kidnapping the hope of tomorrow, remain the between the ages of 6 and 11 have no These results show that exposure casualties of today. access to education. And between to extreme forms of trauma is not Cambodia’s infamous conflicts 10,000 and 15,000 children are uncommon in the lives of children in have disappeared from the world’s involved in prostitution in Phnom Cambodia.And it would not be unrea- media spotlight, but their effects on Penh, Cambodia’s capital city. sonable to expect that exposure to today’s children are still very real. Cambodia has emerged from 30 such incidents help form their expec- Children are growing up in a society years of conflict. The parents of tations for their own safety and life that provides too few schools or today’s children experienced the hor- choices, and cause many to end up on teachers, and encourages them to rors of Pol Pot. The University of the street. place themselves in danger in order to Phnom Penh’s Psychology department supplement their families’ incomes. It conducted a study on the mental Between 10,000 and turns a blind eye to sexual abuse and health of children in 1999.The results 15,000 children are exploitation. of this study give insights into chil- Advocacy alone cannot change the dren’s encounters with violence, and involved in prostitution harsh reality of poverty, or eradicate reveal, for one thing, that it’s not just in Phnom Penh. the trauma of war. But it is needed to economics that drives children into help redefine people’s and govern- the streets. Despite Cambodia’s Constitution ment’s expectations and, in turn, their Extreme forms of trauma and public policy, sexual exploitation priorities. With a collective effort of and abuse of children is widespread. will, real change can occur. ■ The study surveyed 400 children Of all the female prostitutes in Phnom between the ages of 10 and 12 in Penh, more than 30% are children. Laurence Gray manages World Vision’s pro- Phnom Penh and the countryside.The More than half of Cambodia’s prosti- grammes on child protection in Cambodia. sample group was comprised of chil- tutes were sold by family members or dren of both genders from randomly coerced, by force or deception, into selected schools. They were not at prostitution. Authorities take little special risk, unlike children from sin- action, and police and military involve- gle-headed households or those living

Global Future — Third Quarter, 2001 19 children, to protect them from the Imagine a world violence around them, and to provide support and reintegration services for where children are safe children who are survivors of violence. The report urges governments Melanie Gow to meet their obligations to end violence against children, and to: 1. Enact laws that protect all children from sexual abuse, violence and exploitation. JON WARREN Each of the studies revealed the inadequacy of national legislation to protect children from violence. In some countries, laws were non-exis- tent; in others, they are openly discriminatory; in still others, the laws treated children as criminals rather than victims. In line with this, World Vision advocates for: —national laws that prohibit abuse, exploitation and violence against children, and that are in accord with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. —the universal application of extra- territorial legislation that enables prosecution of child sex abuses in whatever country that abuse occurs. Advocating for the enactment of legislation must be done in tandem with monitoring its enforcement. 2. Train welfare and law-enforcement agencies on child abuse issues, and promote effective child-sensitive policies based on international standards. No child who has suffered violence should be re-traumatised by the welfare or legal process. There are at least two things that Children, like these demonstrating for peace in Colombia, must be involved in the solution. welfare and law-enforcement agencies can do to protect children from vio- OVER THE PAST two years,World responses that will have long-term, lence. First, they can help identify situ- Vision conducted four field-based positive impacts on children. ations of child abuse, then remove research studies to examine the The studies focused on sexual vio- either the child or the perpetrator extent and impact of violence against lence, gender-based violence and from that situation.They also can take children.The findings were horrifying. domestic abuse. The report, titled ‘A a role in listening to children and They reveal state complicity, discrimi- Safe World for Children: Ending prosecuting adult offenders. natory legislation, systematic abuse Abuse, Violence and Exploitation’, The research indicated that, too and widespread public ignorance. identifies seven cross-cutting recom- often, welfare and law-enforcement World Vision released a major mendations for immediate action. agencies were ill informed and inade- report this year documenting the The recommendations suggest quately trained to deal with child vic- study’s key findings. The purpose was means for global change through tims appropriately. Too often, chil- not just to highlight this crisis, but also national and local action.They seek to dren’s cries for assistance were to find appropriate and immediate find ways to prevent violence against ignored or disbelieved, or the children

20 Third Quarter, 2001 — Global Future themselves were treated as criminals. resources to protect children from is reduced where children are directly Children must be supported in violence, and provide support for chil- involved in prevention and protection this process. Governments should be dren who are the survivors of vio- strategies. urged to develop child-protection sys- lence. This means not only focusing tems that encourage the reporting of within their own communities, but Peer support groups instances of violence, or suspicions of also on co-operating on policy forma- Children have been using their violence, against children. tion and resource flows between gov- own experiences to help and benefit 3. Raise awareness of violence against ernments. Issues such as commercial other youth, to play a role in public children by educating the public. Help- sexual exploitation and trafficking can- education, to create peer support lines, where feasible, and support, should not be dealt with in isolation. They groups, to staff crisis hotlines, to be provided to abused and at-risk chil- require an inter-governmental establish and run drop-in centres, and 2 dren. response from the regional and the to build and staff peer networks. The public must recognise its role international level. Children must be participants in their in creating and sustaining an environ- A reassessment of government own development. ment in which violence against chil- spending priorities is required if chil- World Vision’s report brings evi- dren is allowed to flourish—or not. dren are to be protected from vio- dence from the field that children are We need more public education lence. suffering around the globe, that their campaigns proclaiming that child 6. Support comprehensive efforts, includ- right to security is being violated on a abuse is a violation of children’s ing those by the United Nations, to study daily basis, and that not enough is human rights. Governments should and address violence against children. being done by governments and oth- develop national plans of action to Increasingly, advocates for chil- ers to address this crisis.World Vision tackle violence against children.These dren’s rights are joining with the calls hopes that, through this report, each plans should contain key provisions of the UN Committee on the of us is challenged to consider the for public education, and specific pro- Convention on the Rights of the Child role we must play to prevent violence visions to support abused and at-risk for an ‘...in-depth international study against children, to protect children children. on the issue of violence against chil- from the violence around them, and 4.Work with community groups, church- dren ....’1 to offer support to those children es and civil society organisations to pro- who have survived abuse, exploitation mote prevention, protection and rehabili- The most effective and violence. ■ tation of children from violence. The most effective prevention prevention strategies For copies of World Vision’s report,‘A Safe strategies are community-based. They are community-based. World for Children: Ending Abuse, focus on education that is culturally Violence and Exploitation’, please contact sensitive and gender-aware. World Vision supports calls for an Policy and Advocacy, World Vision, 800 Community protection measures international study on violence against West Chestnut Ave., Monrovia, CA such as hotlines, crisis centres, safe children, supported by a global cam- 91016-3198, USA. houses and experienced counselors paign to end the abuse. can prove immediate support to chil- World Vision believes that the dren in situations of violence at the Committee on the CRC’s recommen- Melanie Gow is World Vision’s policy officer for local level. dations provide solid directions for child rights. Governments should be lobbied developing the international study. In to support advocacy and awareness addition, we continue to promote the 1. Committee on the CRC, CRC: Day of raising, legal reform, direct service role of other international human General Discussion, Office of the High provision (for survivors and perpetra- rights mechanisms and instruments as Commissioner for Human Rights, http:// tors), training, and monitoring of a valid framework for child protec- www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/6/dd25re.htm. interventions.And they should ensure tion, to be used in conjunction with 2. Save the Children Canada, Sacred Lives: that adequate resources are allocated the CRC. Canadian Aboriginal Children and Youth Speak for child-protection measures. 7. Invite children to be full participants in out about Sexual Exploitation, Toronto, 2000 5. Seek and commit the resources, establishing measures that offer protec- page 4. whether national or international, to pro- tion, foster development and guarantee tect children from violence. For example, human rights. poverty reduction strategy papers pro- Children can be resilient, duced by poor nations should include a resourceful and responsive. Findings plan for child protection. from World Vision’s own research Governments must commit bear this out, indicating that violence

Global Future — Third Quarter, 2001 21 through force and drugs. We know you’re concerned... In a separate study, World Vision also looked at the particular impact of but when will you act? poverty on girls. Findings revealed a disproportionate impact of violence, Alan Whaites abuse, infanticide and poverty. This study underlined that sexual exploitation continues to disproportionately WORLD VISION recently conduct- take place undetected. In each loca- impact girls, who often pay the price ed four major research projects on tion, no local provision existed to through HIV/AIDS infection, and ulti- the condition of children in the mod- respond to children claming abuse. mately their lives. ern world. These initiatives were Indeed, any child raising such concerns International indifference to the undertaken with families and commu- would routinely be disbelieved. problem of abuse against children is nities across the developing world. Similarly, in Latin America, a study into hiding a global problem that touches They have each built upon World domestic violence confirms existing every society. Nearly 4,000 children Vision’s existing programming with research that many children are rou- work as prostitutes in Australia, some children, and the fact that staff have tinely beaten, and that those affected 5,000 have been sold for sex on the long been involved in strengthening are more likely to drop out of school streets of Luanda, in Africa. In Brazil, it education and health provision, work- and leave the home. In both instances, is believed that a staggering 3% of ing with churches, caring for street critical weaknesses exist in mecha- under-18s sell themselves for sex (as children, and protecting children at nisms for child protection and aware- many as 2 million in any given year). risk. ness raising. Even the provision of safe Some 15,000 girls under 12 live on the The results confirm that children places for children removed from streets of Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka. are not only vulnerable to the conse- their families can be absent. All are at risk of abuse. One-third of quences of their poverty, but also to the 55,000 prostitutes in Cambodia indifference. Put simply, few issues Louder concerns are under 18 years old, while 40,000 have solicited more broken promises A more familiar issue in interna- children are thought to be in prostitu- and unimplemented Conventions than tional debates concerning children has tion in Indonesia. that of child rights (with perhaps the been the appalling problem of com- World Vision is committed to exception of the environment).World mercial sexual exploitation. It is likely campaign for the rights of children Vision’s research has underlined the that governments will voice ever-loud- suffering abuse, violence and neglect missed opportunities to move into a er concerns on this problem in the until change is achieved and the imple- phase of implementation on both the run up to the Second World Congress mentation of legislation and agree- Convention on the Rights of the Child against the sexual exploitation of chil- ments takes place. Ultimately, all chil- and numerous ILO Conventions on dren in December (just as they did dren should have access to at least a child labour.The fault lies not just with prior to the first).Yet, in the interven- minimum standard of protection.That governments who do not apply their ing five years since the first Congress, protection should include a legislative own legislation or commitments. signs of OECD (Organisation for framework that clearly outlaws abuse. Instead, we must also look at the Economic Co-operation and Develop- It should also entail access to proper- donors and lenders who not only ment) concern have been relatively ly trained and resourced welfare ser- deny the resources to make such poli- sparse, leaving the governments vices, and to the means to voice con- cies workable, but also disempower directly impacted to try to address cerns (such as helplines). Adequate the very state structures needed to the problem largely alone (and, for protection entails working with regulate employment and address some, with the backdrop of the churches and schools, and informing social welfare issues. Southeast Asian economic crisis). children of their rights to be free from A powerful example of the prob- In Southeast Asia, World Vision danger and fear. It also crucially means lem has been provided by World studied the problems of child traffick- a greater willingness on the part of Vision’s Child Abuse and Neglect ing and child prostitution and their rich donor countries to act for the study, undertaken with ISPCAN devastating effects. The problem of defence of children in poorer nations, (International Society for Prevention AIDS has increased demand for for without adequate resources, chil- of Child Abuse and Neglect) and younger prostitutes, who are believed dren will continue to be abused and Chapin Hall, University of Chicago. to be less likely to carry the disease, killed. ■ This study looked at communities in with the result that 1,000,000 children five developing countries and found now work in the Asian sex trade. Alan Whaites is director of Policy and Advocacy for that lack of awareness created con- Children are lured and tricked into World Vision. texts in which abuse of children could prostitution, where they are kept

22 Third Quarter, 2001 — Global Future surprise some that strong opposition CRC:A Christian perspective to the CRC at the end of its first decade comes from segments within Kathy Vandergrift communities of faith.The vocal opposition of a few faith-based organisations has given rise to questions about whether a child-rights approach is consistent with a humanitarianism LIKE A NEW BABY, the Conven- can galvanise community resources to that finds its roots in Christian con- tion on the Rights of the Child (CRC) build a better future for everyone. victions. The answer is yes. Under- emerged from a long gestation period They are catalysts for change now, as standing those roots may be a helpful to an enthusiastic welcome in 1989. It well as hope for the future. antidote to the fears that drive some was ratified by 191* countries in the to block further progress in imple- United Nations in record time, and it CRC is a useful tool for menting the CRC. has had strong support from civil society organisations. It took some time working with children Dignity of every child during the early years to figure out and governments of all Fundamental to the Christian faith what difference this new creature political stripes. is the conviction that every person, would make in the household of including every child, is created in the nations. Now, like a family with a pre- On a global level, impact on chil- image of God and called by God to adolescent 10-year-old, there is ten- dren is the best test for the success participate in the unfolding of cre- sion between holding it back or giving and sustainability of public policies, ation. Children are of no less value it wings. In many ways, the UN Special including macro-economic issues like than adults. While they are entrusted Session for Children will set the tone trade and debt relief. If a child were at to families for their care, they also for the adolescent years of the CRC. the centre of the Security Council have worth and dignity apart from For development organisations, their families. the CRC is a useful tool for working Love your neighbour as yourself; with children and governments of all this most basic Christian teaching political stripes. In many developing goes beyond sentimental feelings and countries, children make up more SANJAY SOJWAL charity to a profound respect for the than 40% of the population; they are other as equal in worth and calling contributing now to the survival of before God. Justice and love come their nations; and at the same time together in the biblical teachings they are vulnerable. In Rwanda, for about shalom, and it includes children example, a child rights approach as well as adults. Jesus moved children helped to obtain protection for the from the edge to the centre to land rights of girl children who are the demonstrate what his teachings heads of their households because meant for community life. their parents died through war or Some are concerned that rights HIV/AIDS. In Thailand, working chil- talk is self-centred, and they fear that dren organise themselves to work for using a rights framework with children their right to education and healthy will breed a culture of selfish, conditions, while in Cambodia, the autonomous individualism.They argue CRC helps get police protection from the focus should be on obligations, sexual exploitation of street children. and the language of morality is used as In conflict zones, the right of children an alternative discourse for social to be with their families can be a tool issues. In reality, however, the concept to push for family reunification. of rights is inherent in the concept of Agents of transformation table, world leaders would find the morality. Without acknowledging that political will to prevent wars. Respect others have a rightful claim, there is Beyond protection, development for the rights of children, as partici- no basis for defining what is right and organisations are beginning to realise pants in development, is key to break- wrong.The most vulnerable groups in the potential for children to be agents ing the cycle of poverty and unfolding society are at the heart of the Bible’s of transformation within their com- a brighter future for whole societies. frequent calls to do justice.When that munities and countries. Children can Against this background, it may claim is rooted in the dignity of every be a unifying force; their well-being

Global Future — Third Quarter, 2001 23 child before God, the focus is on abuse of power; a child-rights decade of implementation, the teen- enabling others to have their rightful approach for Christians is rooted in age years, there is a need to elaborate place more than demanding one’s own the realistic assessment of the poten- on what some of the articles mean rights. A society that respects the tial for all humans, including Christian and how they fit into an integrated rights of the most vulnerable, includ- parents themselves, to misuse power. approach that will ensure effective ing children, is likely to respect the implementation. At least four areas rights of all. Rights-based approach stand out for attention. The CRC, of all the human rights A rights-based approach sees the First is the need to increase pub- conventions, reflects an integrated child as a whole person, in the context lic awareness of the CRC, including understanding of the relationships of family, community, the state, and avenues for young people to partici- that contribute to healthy develop- other social structures. In contrast, pate in community-based strategies ment, and it does not give priority to needs-based approaches tend to put for implementation. Second is the one dimension over another. It is, some needs ahead of others and development of tools for dealing con- therefore, somewhat ironic, that the ignore other equally important structively with competing rights and CRC should be the target for opposi- aspects of a child’s situation. Secondly, responsibilities in different cultural tion. One problem is that many peo- the CRC brings political attention to contexts. A more difficult third area ple who have been fired up to cam- the needs of children and helps to relates to the concept of indivisibility paign against child rights have not read hold governments accountable for the in the CRC. And, while an integrated the whole document themselves. way children are treated. approach is important, the current system has no capacity to respond to Is the CRC anti-family? A society that respects violations, which are more urgent. The fear that child rights will There is a difference, for example, erode family life is used to mobilise the rights of the most between the violations of the rights of opposition to the CRC. Often, this is vulnerable is likely to children who have been abducted done without a careful reading and respect the rights of all. from Northern Uganda, held captive discussion of what the document says in Sudan, forced to kill other people, about family life. When children in In many ways, the 1990s were a and used as sex slaves and the debates Canada were asked in a survey which hostile environment for child rights. over spanking.Violations that threaten of the rights in the CRC were impor- Armed conflicts moved to village the survival and security of children tant for them, the right to have a fam- streets where children become tar- during armed conflict, for example, ily came out at the top of the list. gets and combatants, as well as unin- cannot wait for a routine five-year Throughout the CRC, the ‘respon- tended victims. In many countries the review before a committee, which can sibilities, rights, and duties of parents’ impact of economic factors, such as only issue recommendations to are recognised, and the preamble capital flight, structural adjustment, national governments. Additional explicitly states that the best context and trade upheavals, forced children mechanisms are needed, including for child development is a healthy into more dangerous work situations investigative teams that report to the family life. In practice, the CRC is use- to help their families survive. At the Security Council and action by other ful to help address factors that pre- same time, community services, which UN agencies. vent families from providing for and traditionally help parents support The CRC protects the rights of protecting their children. Pro-family their children, have been eliminated, society’s most vulnerable group, many groups could help advance the right of and governments are less able to of whom cannot defend themselves. children not to be separated from stand up to powerful economic inter- But its enforcement mechanisms are their families, which is a huge problem ests that ignore the negative impacts weaker than those of other human faced by humanitarian agencies they may have on the environment rights instruments. This needs to throughout the world. where children live. change. Children grow up best when When families do not or cannot Promoting the rights of children they know that threats to their secu- protect the rights of their children, provides balance in the current inter- rity and rights are taken seriously at other mechanisms are needed. For national political discourse, which is all levels by all sectors of society. ■ Christians, parents do not have heavy on trade, foreign investment, absolute power; only God does. and missile defence systems. It can * ‘Status of Ratifications of the Principal Interna- Disciplining children in the Bible is bal- tional Human Rights Treaties’, UNHCR, as of 14 help to set direction for this century, June 2001, and UNICEF.org/specialsession/rights. anced with reminders not to bring and prod everyone to look beyond children to wrath or violate their the short-term contingencies of annu- trust. Boundaries on all human institu- Kathy Vandergrift is senior policy analyst,Advocacy al budgets and political party interests. and Government Relations,World Vision Canada. tions are necessary to prevent the As the CRC moves into its second

24 Third Quarter, 2001 — Global Future families as the best context in which Working toward a world children can realise their potential. Our challenge, as Christians, is to help where children are safe children and parents achieve what God intended for them. Dean Hirsch, international president of World Vision In conjunction with the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children, World Vision begins a cam- AS A CHRISTIAN relief and devel- sex slaves for rebel troops. I have had paign this year called ‘A Safe World for opment organisation, World Vision children tell me how they were beat- Children: Ending Abuse, Violence and finds its inspiration in the teachings of en, tortured, and deprived of food or Exploitation’. The campaign’s purpose Jesus, who tells us that we have worth sleep by the bosses and pimps who is to heighten awareness of children’s because God loves us.We affirm that became their de facto parents. And I rights, and urge governments to adopt worth by caring for one another, by have also experienced the ecstasy of measures that will prevent violence loving our neighbour as we love our- children weeping for joy because they against children. Many of the measures selves. Children, our children and our have been rescued from slavery, we advocate are simple: Helplines. neighbours’ children, have equal claim bondage, misery or depravation. Better training of welfare and law to that love. enforcement agencies that deal with Jesus makes this very clear.When Our challenge, as children. Church, community and civil his disciples tried to scare away the society partnerships to promote pre- children, Scripture tells that Jesus Christians, is to help vention, protection and rehabilitation became indignant. ‘Let the children children and parents of children from violence. come to me,’ he said, ‘do not prevent achieve what God Our efforts are focused on keep- them, for the kingdom of God belongs ing children safe from: 1) child abuse to such as these.’ (Mark 10:14) intended for them. and neglect; 2) violence in the home; God’s sovereignty over children 3) sexual exploitation; 4) armed con- surpasses the authority of parents, These fortunate children have flict; and 5) HIV/AIDS. We are inviting especially parents who abuse their regained the basic rights that God the children in the many poor com- authority by neglecting, mistreating, intended for all human beings. munities in which we work to be full exploiting or victimising their chil- Children are equally entitled to what participants in this process. And we dren. Sadly, parents who abuse their we treasure for ourselves: A loving invite you and all other people of children are all too common. Indeed, home with the right to food, shelter, good will to join us in helping create a most violence against children occurs education, health care, and economic global movement for children. in the home. And, when children are opportunity. I believe that World Vision, victimised outside the home, parents The Gospel asks Christians to UNICEF, and other child-focused are often guilty of complicity or ensure that children, ‘the least among agencies can make a big difference in neglect or sheer desperation. us’, are afforded these basic human the lives of children. I believe we can In my work with World Vision, I rights. So does the United Nations help do for children what the environ- have met children whose parents sold Convention on the Rights of the Child mental movement did for the environ- them into bonded labour or prostitu- (CRC), a landmark, decade-old document. And, I believe that children, in tion. I have talked to children who ment signed by virtually every country their innocence, joy, and awe, will lead were seized from their homes and in the world. The Convention affirms us closer to the kingdom of God. ■ forced to carry weapons or serve as the role of good parents and sound

WORLD VISION is a Vision works with each partner World Vision recognises that Christian relief and development community to ensure that children poverty is not inevitable. Our partnership which serves more than are able to enjoy improved nutrition, Mission Statement calls us to 70 million people in nearly 100 health and education. Where challenge those unjust structures, countries. World Vision seeks to children live in especially difficult which constrain the poor in a world follow Christ’s example by working circumstances, surviving on the of false priorities, gross inequalities with the poor and oppressed in the streets, suffering in exploitative and distorted values. World Vision pursuit of justice and human trans- labour, or exposed to the abuse and desires that all people are able to formation. trauma of conflict,World Vision reach their God-given potential, and Children are often most vulnera- works to restore hope and to bring thus works for a world which no ble to the effects of poverty. World justice. longer tolerates poverty. ■ ❖ Africa Regional Office P.O. Box 50816 Nairobi Kenya

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