From February 24 to April 4, 2025, the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council took place in Geneva. Reaffirming the Sovereign Order of Malta’s commitment to combating modern slavery Professor Michel Veuthey, Ambassador to monitor and combat trafficking in persons, intervened in four interactive dialogues of the Human Rights Council.
His interventions highlighted the need to strengthen international cooperation, implement transitional justice processes and concrete measures to protect vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse.
Below are the statements made by the Ambassador:
Statement on the Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Human Rights and Transitional Justice (A/HRC/58/36) in which the Ambassador emphasised the important role of religious leaders in initiating and implementing transitional justice processes, as well as the application of transitional justice to child soldiers and other victims of human trafficking.
Statement on the Report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid (A/HRC/58/19) in which the Ambassador expressed the Order of Malta’s concern about the alarming increase in violence against children and emphasized the Order of Malat’s actions around the world to help these children.
Statement on the Report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Mrs. Virginia Gamba (A/HRC/58/18) in which the Ambassador highlighted the devastating impact of armed conflict on children and the Order of Malta’s long history of providing health care and education to children in conflict zones through humanitarian assistance, particularly in Africa, Europe and the Holy Land.
Statement on the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, Mama Fatima Singhateh (A/HRC/58/52) in which the Ambassador mentioned the Order of Malta’s concern about the reported sexual abuse of children by peacekeepers.
