EU Presidency Re-Introduction Statement - Rights of the Child

EU Presidency Re-Introduction Statement on the RIGHTS OF THE CHILD, by the UK Mission to the UN on behalf of the European Union, UN General Assembly, Third Committee, New York

Mr. Chairperson,

It has been the honour of the European Union and Some Latin American and Caribbean Countries to lead a process which has resulted in the draft resolution contained in document A/60/C.3/L.22/Rev.1 entitled "Rights of the Child", under Agenda Item 67.

In addition, Mr. Chairperson, to the delegations listed in L.22/Rev.1, the following delegations have joined the list of cosponsors: Albania, Andorra, Angola, Armenia, Australia, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Iceland, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Nepal, Philippines, Republic of Moldova, Serbia and Montenegro, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine.

Mr. Chairperson,

This resolution is the product of a collaborative process by the European Union and Some Latin American and Caribbean countries. Extensive consultations with all interested delegations have led to rich discussions motivated by an obvious commitment of all delegations involved to the rights of children. This process has led to a draft resolution which continues to address all the major challenges that threaten the full enjoyment of children's human rights. In addition, for the first time, it contains a section looking in more detail at one particular aspect of children's rights. We have chosen in this first year, with a focussed section, to highlight the particular vulnerability of children affected by

HIV/AIDS. Mr. Chairperson, I am sure all delegations will recognise the cataclysmic, destructive force of HIV/AIDS and the effect it has on Child Rights on so many levels. It is our sincere wish that this focus has highlighted the issues faced by children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and might in some small way contribute to their more effective enjoyment of their human rights.

Mr Chairperson,

Despite extensive consultations, it is clear that, as in previous years, the sheer breadth of the issues necessarily covered by this resolution will mean that not all delegations can be content with every paragraph contained in it. The cosponsors have carefully weighed up the views of all expressed during consultations and have chosen to include references which commanded the support of the overwhelming majority of delegations taking part.

We understand there will be issues in the final draft which some delegations find difficult. It is our sincere hope; however, that they will be able to see the value of the resolution as a whole and not to press amendments to the text which, experience has shown, are not supported by large majority of the General Assembly. An issue of this importance should be a strong statement of commitment and deserves to be adopted by consensus.

We would sincerely like to thank all those delegations that have played an active role in shaping this resolution. I would particularly like to thank my distinguished colleague and friend from Uruguay for her committed and patient collaboration.

As I mentioned, Mr. Chairperson, the European Union and SLAC would now appeal to delegations to adopt this resolution by consensus.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.

| Arriba |

• EU Presidency Statement - Explanation of Vote: the Girl Child (16/11/2005)
• EU Presidency Statement - Explanation of Vote: the Girl Child (15/11/2005)
• EU Presidency Statement - Rights of the Child (25/10/2005)
• EU Presidency Statement - Rights of the Child (14/10/2005)
• European Commission puts women's reproductive health and child rights at heart of Development policy (4/5/2005)