Moscow, 20 November 2006 – The Russian Federation Ministry of Health and Social Development, in partnership with the UN Children’s Fund and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, commemorated the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child today during a conference entitled “Child Rights in the Russian Federation Today and the Way Forward,” which took place at ITAR-TASS.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1989, and ratified by Russia (as the Soviet Union) in 1990 is the most widely ratified human rights treaty. It affirms the rights of all children to, life, health and education through the provision of essential goods and services, and recognises the need to protect children against exploitation, abuse and violence.

In 2005, the Committee on the Rights of the Child examined the third periodic report of the Russian Federation on the implementation of the Convention and formulated recommendations aimed at enhancing full implementation of the standards laid down therein.

Participation in the conference will include the Chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, Professor Jaap Doek, and the Rapporteur of the Committee, Ms. Nevena Vuckovic-Sahovic, high-level representatives of Federal and Regional Governments, as well as representatives of civil society. The Conference will provide an opportunity to address such questions as adolescent health, violence against children, juvenile justice, de-institutionalisation and the placement of institutionalized children in families. The Conference is also expected to examine specific ways and means to implement the Committee’s recommendations and thus contribute to setting priority actions and perspectives for the rights of children in the Russian Federation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

John Brittain, Communications Officer, UNICEF in the Russian Federation
Tel: 937-4812; +7 (495) 761-6648

Elena Kharitonova, Assistant Communications Officer, UNICEF in the Russian Federation
Tel: 937-2195; +7 (495) 238-0154