Tal om barnarbete

ACP-EU-församligens möte i Port Moresby, Papua Nya Guinea 2008-11-24

Colleagues and friends,
 

Child labour is a global problem 
 

We face an uphill struggle to ensure the respect of children's' rights

We need to remember that each person,  including persons under 18 , are individuals with rights, and that we as adults have the responsibility to defend children who are unable to fight or speak out for their own rights

218 million children aged 5 - 17 are involved in child labour world wide and of those 126 million children work in hazardous conditions.

The highest numbers of child labourers are in the Asia/Pacific region, where there are 122 million working children.

The highest proportion of child labourers is in Sub Saharan Africa, where 26% of children (49 million) are involved in work.

That we discuss this issue here today shows the importance we all attach to this problem

In the report I truly believe that we have outlined the only way forward – cooperation

Child labour in all its form is a complex, multifaceted issue there is a need for a concerted international effort to tackle a number of issues such as poverty, education, human rights all at once

How do we do this? We already have a strong framework in place with the ILO conventions and common goals with the Millennium Development Goals

I believe that one of the most efficient ways of addressing the issue of child labour is for consumers to mobilise and pressure companies who exploit children

The example of the multinational diamond company De Beers illustrates the impact of consumer power in changing the way we do business.

Consumers and human rights groups played an important role in forcing the De Beers to address its negative image and change the way it does business

Human rights groups mounted a high profile campaign accusing it of buying illicit diamonds from African rebels and rulers who used the proceeds to help pay for their wars.  In response De Beers made the necessary changes to ensure that "conflict diamonds" be kept out of the world of luxury goods.  The controversy over diamonds of questionable origin helped De Beers draw a line between the legitimate trade, which it still dominates, and the unlawful traffic in diamonds among African rebels. 

Finally I would like to conclude my intervention by referring to one of very worst forms of child labour: the scourge of child sex exploitation. Initiatives such as the Say No campaign are crucial in this respect:

We need:       

Outreach programs that locate and protect young victims of sexual exploitation

Children whose parents do not care for them are vulnerable to exploitation because they need attention and money to survive. Street workers need to be trained to contact them and bring them to a safe shelter. That way, they do not need to beg or sell themselves to sleep and eat.*

Life skills education to help children avoid exploitative relationships

Children are not born with the knowledge that some adults want to abuse and exploit them. They must be taught that sometimes it is good to reject an adult, even if he appears nice. This can help prevent many traumatic experiences.

Protection of victims of child sexual exploitation

The child victims have been through terrifying experiences and lack care and guidance that helps them process their experience and testify to the police if they want. Providing them with a protection program that includes physical protection, emotional treatment and a legal status gives them an opportunity to start anew.

Provision of training to enforce the law against child sexual abuse

Police, prosecutors and judges investigating crimes are not always conscious that children that have been abused need to be treated in a friendly and careful way to collect a high quality statement against the offenders. That helps law enforcers put offenders in jail.

International exchange of police information on travelling, convicted sex offenders

Information that can lead to the arrest of child sex offenders is rarely shared with international colleagues because of restrictive policy on information exchange or lack of political will. If more law enforcers know whom to look for, offenders can be arrested sooner.

Restricting travel of known child sex exploiters

Child sexual exploiters want to be anonymous and will travel abroad to avoid being detected by authorities that know them. Our responsibility for our citizens doesnΥt stop at the border. Because childrenΥs rights donΥt end there, either.

Demanding a responsible travel industry.

Tourist agencies, businesses, NGOΥs and armed forces can help stop the massive child sex industry. Promoting awareness among personnel and signaling suspect customers and employees should be part of their policy. Allowing or promoting child sexual exploitation or abuse must always lead to prosecution.

Allocating resources to stop child sex offenders wherever they travel

Colleagues, ladies and gentlemen I urge you to raise your voice against sexual exploitation and sign up to this initiative

Thank you