Human Rights Council – A/HRC/46/40

Report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General
on Violence against Children, Mrs. Najat Maalla M’jid 

 

Statement by Professor Michel Veuthey

Ambassador to monitor and combat trafficking in persons, Deputy Permanent Observer
Geneva, 8 March 2021

Madam President, Excellencies,

 

The Order of Malta would like to thank the Special Representative for her Annual Report (A/HRC/46/40) on Violence against Children.

The Order of Malta welcomes the recommendations made by the Special Representative. It wishes to strengthen its awareness-raising, prevention and protection  efforts to assist children affected by armed conflict, through its multilateral and bilateral diplomatic networks. It has intensified its medical and social programmes in many countries in the world on behalf of children during the pandemic through its National Associations and its world humanitarian organization “Malteser International”.

The Sovereign Order of Malta wishes to continue the dialogue with the Special Representative and other stakeholders, including faith-based organizations and academic communities, in order to optimize the full compliance with international humanitarian law, human rights law and refugee law on behalf of children in armed conflict, through advocacy and action.

The Order of Malta shares the conclusion of the Special Representative that “All must be done to ensure that children do not become the main victims of the pandemic, and to build a better world where their rights are promoted and protected and where no child is left behind.”