(Monday 21 October 2019 Issue)
“I look forward to assessing the scope of sale
and sexual exploitation of children in the country, as well as the measures and
structures in place to address this scourge from different perspectives, in
particular that of prevention, rehabilitation and accountability,” said de
Boer-Buquicchio.
“I will seek to help the Government of The
Gambia to promote and protect the rights of children and evaluate the risks and
forms of exploitation, along with the measures already adopted to fight the
problem and examine the challenges that remain,” she said.
The Special Rapporteur will address issues
relating to children in travel and tourism, protection of children against
sexual exploitation and sexual abuse involving information and communication
technologies, as well as circumstances in which the sale of children can occur.
“I will reach out to child victims of abuse,
violence and exploitation and to children in vulnerable situations, including
those in institutions, children from minorities, in social care, refugees and
asylum seekers, as well as undocumented, migrant children and others working
and living in the street, to make sure their voices are heard by the Government
and others,” said de Boer-Buquicchio.
During her nine-day visit, the human rights
expert will meet representatives of the Government, legislature and judiciary,
as well as local and municipal authorities. She will also have meetings with
the Ombudsperson, civil society organisations, representatives of the private
sector, members of the international community, and representatives of the
National Youth Council and Children’s Parliament. She will visit the city of
Banjul, the Greater Banjul area and the Lower River region.
The
Special Rapporteur will also visit children’s residential facilities, the
Juvenile Wing and the shelter for the protection and support of child victims
of violence and trafficking.
At the end of her visit, on 29 October 2019,
the UN expert will share her preliminary observations at a press conference at
12:00 noon local time at UN House, 5 Kofi Annan Street, Cape Point, Bakau.
Access to the press conference will be strictly limited to journalists.
The Special Rapporteur will present a
comprehensive report at a forthcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council.
