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Open Letter to the LIBE Committee Rapporteur on the proposed EU regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse

by ECLAG in 2023

A report by the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Committee’s rapporteur in the European Parliament on the Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse was welcomed in an open letter signed by child rights organizations on 4 May 2023.

ECPAT, together with ECLAG – a coalition of child rights and child protection organizations, commends the April 2023 report from MEP Javier Zarzalejos. The determination to push forward the proposed regulation and ensure children’s rights are placed at the heart of the EU’s digital policies marks a vital step forward.

ECLAG values the decision of MEP Zarzalejos to keep the full scope of the regulation as this will enable an effective fight against child sexual abuse. Known, unknown child sexual abuse material and grooming must all have a legal basis to ensure no children are left unprotected online. In addition, the report reintroduces the possibility for online providers to voluntarily detect and delete child sexual abuse material on their platforms. Allowing for the voluntary use of detection technology will help make sure global efforts don’t fall below today’s levels.

Learn more about ECPAT’s work to keep children safe online in the EU here.  

 

About ECLAG

The European Child Sexual Abuse Legislation Advocacy Group (ECLAG) is a coalition fighting to protect children from sexual violence and abuse. The organisations involved in ECLAG have joined forces to advocate for the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation proposed by the European Commission in May 2022 to be passed. ECLAG brings together more than 60 European and global organizations. The steering group consists of the Brave Movement, ECPAT, Missing Children Europe, IWF, Terre des Hommes and Thorn.

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