World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

Minister of Children and Family Affairs Grete Berget

World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Stockholm, 27-31 August 1996.

Stockholm, 27 August 1996.

Thank you, mr. Chairman -
Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is an honour for me to speak today in this forum. My government greatly appreciates the initiative of the organizers of this congress.

Commercial sexual exploitation of children is a great offence against humanity and social justice. The basic issue of this congress is to protect children better in the future against these inhumanities. I wish to underline the importance of viewing this kind of exploitation in relation to other forms of child exploitation and child abuse.

The Norwegian government regards all kinds of severe sexual abuse of children as violations of children's dignity. We are implementing a wide spectrum of measures aiming at for example abuse prevention, detection of offenders and helping abused children. Norwegian nursery school personell are obliged by law to present a police certificate of good conduct when applying for work. We are planning to propose law amendments which will introduce similar requirements concerning other professions and sectors which are working with children.

The scope of child prostitution and production of child pornography within different nations varies considerably. On the basis of a common ground, which for example this congress will provide, the implementation of the provisions of international agreements at the internal level must be adjusted to local, national and regional needs.

I wish to highlight a challenge at the international level which will probably become more conspicous in the future. This concerns the dilemma of combatting misuse of new media (including Internet) as tools for child exploitation, without endangering civil rights. I think this dilemma requires further discussion and international cooperation. I am glad to inform you about an initiative from the Ombudsman for Children and Save the Children in Norway to a establish a focal point for monitoring activities on this issue on Internet. The results of this project will be presented at the Internet- workshop on Thurday.

The most important legal instrument regarding children's rights is the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The true test of the Convention will be the extent to which it serves as a guide to action. I would like to draw attention to the important work of the UN Commitee on the Rights of the Child in relation to implementing the Convention. The UN High Commisioner has presented an action plan to improve the working conditions of the Commitee. Norway is supports this initiative and will contribute financially.

Legislation is important as it sets standards. However, I hope you all agree that reducing commercial sexual exploitation or other kinds of intolerable child abuse can only be achieved through a broad range of coordinated measures.

There is, generally speaking, a clear link between poverty and child exploitation. However, I would like to stress that real economic growth can only be achieved if economic and social development are balanced. In the context of social development, preventive measures against child exploitation are needed. Education is a key factor. Education will therefore be a main priority in Norwegian development cooperation programmes in the future.

The Norwegian government will host an international conference on the most intolerable forms of child labour in Oslo in October 1997. Norway will work closely with ILO and other relevant UN-organs to make that conference successful.

In concluding I will strongly appeal in particular to the whole UN family to cooperate and create broad alliances of all parties concerned against commercial sexual exploitation.

Thank you for your attention.