Germany Germany joins the Optional Protocol of the UN Child Rights Convention - on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography

July 28, 2009

Comment: The article appears as the official communication of the German Committee of UNICEF, informing the readers that the lower and upper houses of the German Federal Parliament have finally ratified the Optional Protocol of the UN Child Rights Convention on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. Professor Dr. Lothar Krappman is quoted saying that “This is a long overdue step to effectively fight against child pornography and child trafficking in Germany”.

With the help of the Optional Protocol it becomes much easier for States to provide judicial basis for the fight against these crimes against children. Germany is also obliged to provide effective prevention. Exploited children should be identified as victims and need to be protected. Germany will need to report regularly to the UN Committee on the Right of the Child in Geneva about the implementation of the Optional Protocol. The Optional Protocol comes into force on August 15th – one month after the ratification document was submitted to the UN.

UNICEF demands that the dimensions of the problem be researched and that police and justice personnel be better trained to identify and protect victims of abuse. The article also mentions that the Lower and Upper Houses of Parliament also decided on the implementation of a UN framework decision which increases the age of protection of youth against sexual exploitation and pornography to 18 years of age.

You can read the original article in German here.
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