Children – Third Cttee debate – Press release (excerpts)

SITUATION OF CHILDREN IN MANY REGIONS REMAINS PRECARIOUS DUE

TO POVERTY, CONFLICT, DISEASE, THIRD COMMITTEE TOLD

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Background

The Third Committee met this afternoon to continue its general discussion on the rights of the child.  For additional background information, please see Press Release GA/SHC/3786 of 18 October.

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Statements on the Rights of the Child

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MAI KHALIL (Egypt) …

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…  Her delegation regretted that it must recall once again the dire situation of Palestinian children in the occupied Palestinian territories, whose deteriorating situation was neglected in all the reports submitted to the Committee.  Egypt called for the immediate halt to all military actions taken against Palestinian children.  This could only be achieved through Israel’s full withdrawal from the occupied territories.

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Mr. SAMET (Algeria) …

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While the Secretary-General’s report had cited progress in many areas, the situation of children remained precarious in many countries, particularly in Africa, he noted.  Millions of children continued to live in sub-human conditions; restoring some measure of their dignity required ensuring their economic and social rights, including their rights to development.  Access to education, health care, nutrition, drinkable water and shelter must be assured.  Armed groups must not be allowed to conscript children as soldiers, and children must be protected from trafficking and sexual and other forms of exploitation.  The situation of Palestinian children was also of particular concern.

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