UN rights expert on sale and sexual exploitation of children launches first mission to Honduras

GENEVA / TEGUCIGALPA (28 August 2012) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Najat Maalla M’jid will undertake her first official country visit to Honduras from 30 August to 7 September 2012 to investigate the issue of sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

“I will focus mission on the scope, the new patterns and the root causes of the phenomena of sale and sexual exploitation of children,” said Ms. Maalla M’jid, who visits the country at the invitation of the Government. “I will pay particular attention to the strategies and programs established in terms of prevention and protection of children from sale and sexual exploitation.”

During her nine-day mission, the Special Rapporteur will visit Tegucigalpa, La Ceiba and San Pedro Sula, where she will meet with State authorities responsible for preventing and combating the sale and sexual exploitation of children. She will also meet with civil society and private sector representatives, and visit children care centres and shelters.

“I look forward to engaging in a constructive dialogue with the Government and all relevant authorities in a collective effort to promote and protect the human rights of actual or potential victims of sale, prostitution and pornography, as well as on the aspects related to the rehabilitation of child victims of sexual exploitation,” Ms. Maalla M’jid said.

The Special Rapporteur will share with the Government her preliminary observations on the promotion and protection of human rights of child victims or vulnerable to sale or sexual exploitation based on the information gathered during the visit. She will present a report containing her findings and recommendations to the Human Rights Council in March 2013.

At the end of her visit on Friday 7 September 2012 at 11:30 am, Ms. M’jid will hold a press conference at the United Nations House in Tegucigalpa, Col. Palmira, República de Panamá Avenue.

Ms. Najat Maalla M’jid (Morocco) was appointed Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography in May 2008. She is independent from any government or organization. Ms. Maalla M’jid is paediatrician and member of the Moroccan National Council l on Human Rights, and the founder of the non-governmental organization BAYTI, the first programme addressing the situation of children living in the street in Morocco. Learn more, log on to: http://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-sale-of-children

OHCHR Country Page – Honduras: http://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/honduras

For press inquiries and additional information on the Special Rapporteur’s mission, please contact
In Tegucigalpa: Antonio Maldonado (+504 9492 9723 / antonio.maldonado@undp.org).

In Geneva: Selma Vadala (+41 22 917 9108 / svadala@ohchr.org) or write to SRsaleofchildren@ohchr.org

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts:
Xabier Celaya, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)

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