MEPs discuss a strategy to protect children’s rights

European Parliamentarians in plenary session adopted the Roberta Angelilli report on the Commission’s Communication "Towards an EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child".

The strategy calls for children’s rights to be mainstreamed in all external policies and actions of the EU and reaffirmed a rejection of all forms of violence against children. In particular, MEPs call upon the Commission to create a specific budget line for children’s rights, in order to finance work to implement the strategy or projects such as a European early warning system to combat “child abductions”.

According to the Angelilli’s report, various actions could be especially taken to combat child sexual exploitation, child trafficking and paedophilia by :
 blocking credit card payments to prohibit payment for pornographic material,
 hampering access to dangerous sites,
 watch-dog monitoring of sites selling child pornography,
 websites dedicated to the children’s rights.

Other significant measures included in the strategy refer to:
 fight against violence towards children,
 fight against sexual exploitation of children,
 “Children at risk”,
 juvenile delinquency,
 fight against child poverty and social exclusion,
 fight against child labour,
 better protect migrant children and unaccompanied minors,
 a Community instrument on adoptions.

MEP Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, MEP EPP-ED, co-rapporteur, expressed concern for the health of children who are being medicated for addiction to electronic media and PC games. Referring to "electronic addiction", Ms.Panayotopoulos-Cassitou emphasised the dangers from excessive misuse of the media that can cause psychosomatic diseases, neglect of work and studies and anti-social behaviour. Finally, she concluded by arguing that the absence of legal measures limits effective control of cyber crime.

For further information

 Angelilli report
 European Parliament
 European Parliament’s January plenary session

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 Towards an EU strategy on the Rights of the Child
 EU Fundamental Rights Agency: an expert on fundamental rights Vs an EU watchdog
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 EPHA in action for children’s health
 A New NGO Action Group on the EU Child Rights Strategy