On the Participation in the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children

11-03-2013

On March 8, 2013 Mr. Evgeny Lazarev, Deputy Head of the Department for multilateral diplomacy of the Belarusian MFA, made a statement to the 22th session of the Human Rights Council being held in Geneva, Switzerland, during an interactive dialogue with the special rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

MFA representative noted the relevance of the topic of sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism. Annually, over 2 million children fall victims of this crime. Criminal income generated by this business exceed $20 billions. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation and data exchange as one of the main prerequisites in the effective fight against this perilous phenomenon, undermining the mere existence of the humankind.

Belarus regretted, that the special rapporteur's request for information on the topic of sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism was responded to by far from all countries, including those whose residences form the major demand for sexual services of children.

Mr.Lazarev also stated, that Belarus contributes to the international cooperation in the fight against sale of children and child pornography. A training course on combatting child pornography took place in International training center for migration and combatting human trafficking in Minsk in February earlier this year. Mr. Lazarev also invited the special rapporteur to attend the high level meeting of the UN General Assembly on the uppraisal of the Global plan of action against human trafficking, which at Belarus’ initiative will be held in New-York in May 2013.

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