Ma’onah and GICJ Call to End Child Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation

55th session of the Human Rights Council 5th March 2024 Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the sale and exploitation of children Statement of Association Ma’onah for Human Rights and Immigration and Geneva International Centre for Justice Delivered by Lené Sophia Strydom / GICJ Thank you Mr. Vice President We thank the Special Rapporteur for their report, Children that are subjected to human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation are stripped of their innocence, exploited ruthlessly, and subjected to unspeakable horrors. In 2020, over 18,000 children have been identified as trafficked globally, yet countless more have gone unnoticed and robbed of their childhoods. As noted in the report, thousands of children in the Philippines, mainly girls, are trafficked. These innocent children endure horrific experiences of gender based violence such as rape, assault, and torture. However, the true extent of these crimes remains unclear due to underreporting and under-identification. In addition, similar violations persist in Yemen, where conflict and instability have created fertile ground for the sexual exploitation of children, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region. Association Ma’onah and Geneva International Centre for Justice demand that the council continue investigating and prosecuting traffickers, while providing targeted support for victims. This includes prioritising research efforts to accurately determine the true extent of child trafficking, and ensuring a safe environment for children to report without retaliation. Only with unwavering commitment from all stakeholders can we effectively combat child trafficking and protect children’s rights. We must unite in our determination to eradicate this abhorrent practice, deliver justice, and ensure every child grows up free from fear, exploitation, and oppression. #GICJ #Geneva4Justice #GenevaInternationalCentreforJustice #HRC55 #HumanRights #IHL #nonstateactors #unitednations #geneva #justice #viral