Public Opinion is Clear: Urgent Legislation Required to Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation! Read the story

Universal Periodic Review

Posted on Mar 27, 2013

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is an intergovernmental review process of the human rights situation in all 193 UN member states. The UPR is a powerful human rights monitoring mechanism, especially due to the fact that it is mandatory for all UN member states, and attracts a lot of attention from the media. ECPAT International considers the UPR process as a critical mean to advocate for the rights of children at risk and/or victims of commercial sexual exploitation. Since 2010, ECPAT International and concerned ECPAT member groups have participated in the UPR and so far submitted 34 reports contributing to provide the Working Group on the UPR with key data and recommendations on combating commercial sexual exploitation of children, to be utilised during the reviews. Based on this experience, the ECPAT International felt it would be useful to assess the impact of such contributions on UPR process. This report features an initial assessment of such impacts, highlighting achievements as well as challenges and lessons learned. It also includes recommendations for strengthening the reporting process itself, towards the achievement of the ultimate goal of upholding children's right to protection. Read the full report here