06.04.01
Urgent Interventions
Panel discussion on violence against children
WORLD ORGANISATION AGAINST TORTURE (OMCT)
Invites you to a panel discussion on:
The need for a specific international mechanism to address violence against children
With the presence of His Excellency Mr. Leandro Despouy
Ambassador of Argentina, Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights
9 April 2001: 1.00 – 3.00 p.m.
Room XXII - Palais des Nations
Geneva – Switzerland
OMCT, through its network, brings to light on a daily basis cases of violence perpetrated against children which are very seldom or insufficiently dealt with at the national level. During the last five years, at least 2.300 children in at least 35 countries were victims of torture, summary executions, forced disappearances and arbitrary arrest.
On several occasions, the national justice system remains inactive or, if there is an investigation, the pace and the procedures of the investigations reveal deficiencies and a lack of impartiality in the system. This cycle of violation and impunity is likely to be perpetuated at the international level, where there is no specific mechanism to address violence against children.
The panel will consist of:
Judge Frank Orlando(ret) Director, DCI/International Network on Juvenile Justice
Ms Marie Wernham, Advocacy Officer, Consortium for Street Children, UK
Mr Peter Newell, Co-ordinator, EPOCH-WORLDWIDE
Mr Paulo David, Secretariat of the Committee on the Rights of the Child
Mr Eric Sottas, Director of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
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For more information please contact: OMCT, Roberta Cecchetti, +41-22-809 49 39
Invites you to a panel discussion on:
The need for a specific international mechanism to address violence against children
With the presence of His Excellency Mr. Leandro Despouy
Ambassador of Argentina, Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights
9 April 2001: 1.00 – 3.00 p.m.
Room XXII - Palais des Nations
Geneva – Switzerland
OMCT, through its network, brings to light on a daily basis cases of violence perpetrated against children which are very seldom or insufficiently dealt with at the national level. During the last five years, at least 2.300 children in at least 35 countries were victims of torture, summary executions, forced disappearances and arbitrary arrest.
On several occasions, the national justice system remains inactive or, if there is an investigation, the pace and the procedures of the investigations reveal deficiencies and a lack of impartiality in the system. This cycle of violation and impunity is likely to be perpetuated at the international level, where there is no specific mechanism to address violence against children.
The panel will consist of:
Judge Frank Orlando(ret) Director, DCI/International Network on Juvenile Justice
Ms Marie Wernham, Advocacy Officer, Consortium for Street Children, UK
Mr Peter Newell, Co-ordinator, EPOCH-WORLDWIDE
Mr Paulo David, Secretariat of the Committee on the Rights of the Child
Mr Eric Sottas, Director of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
**********************************************************************
For more information please contact: OMCT, Roberta Cecchetti, +41-22-809 49 39