07/09/2006: The Intergroup on "Family and Protection of Childhood" of the European Parliament convened yesterday under the Presidency of Greek MEP (EPP-ED), Mrs Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, to discuss the recent Communication of the Commission on "an EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child".
The Vice-President of the European Commission and competent Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security, Mr Franco Frattini, was the keynote speaker at this event which gathered a large number of MEPs, representatives of the Council of Europe, the Economic and Social Committee, UNICEF and family NGOs. The Commissioner presented the latest developments generated by the Communication and the objectives of the Commission in the field of the rights of the child.
Presenting the Commission's Communication, the Commissioner pointed out that this was the first time that the Commission has adopted a horizontal approach and overall strategy for the protection and promotion of the rights of the child within the external and internal relations of the EU. Thus, it covers a large spectrum of policies, such as civil and penal law, employment, education and health as well as development cooperation and trade negotiations with third countries. Under this initiative, children acquire an entity and are considered as full citizens on an equal footing with adults. They are also given the opportunity to participate in the deliberations for the decisions which concern them.
Commenting on the text, the Commissioner stressed that the objective of the Commission is not to present new legislation, but rather use existing ones in order to achieve, as soon as possible, substantial results in the protection of the rights of the child which would be mainstreamed in all European policies. In this regard, transparency and consultation of children are working methods of great importance for the Commission. The role of the future European Coordinator for the Rights of the Child, whose duties will include the development of a close cooperation among the fourteen competent DGs of the European Commission and the creation of a permanent European Forum for the Rights of the Child, will also be of great importance. Mr Frattini emphasised that within the European Forum, public and private authorities of the Member States, international and European organisations, NGOs and children will exchange ideas and information on best practices. It will also have a catalyst role in the planning and implementation of the national policies based on the needs and interests of children.
Furthermore, the Commissioner informed the public of the implementation of specific measures for the protection of children such as the creation of European telephone lines for immediate help/aid which will be operational by the end of 2006, the creation of a website specifically designed for children, the support of banks in their fight against the use of credit cards for the acquisition of pornographic material, along with an adequate use of the activities funded by the DAPHNE programme and the promotion of the role of EUROPOL in the fight against criminal activities targeted at children. He underlined that during 2007 the Commission would present a new Communication on the fight against child poverty within the framework of development cooperation.
In response to questions of the assembly concerning the role of the family in the normal development of the child, the Commissioner stated that although family issues were of national competence, the Commission is planning to encourage family cohesion with adequate means. As far as the paedophilia party in the Netherlands is concerned, Mr Frattini indicated that the Commission could not intervene directly on this issue, but along with the Dutch Government it would closely follow any violation of the rights of children and take all appropriate dissuasive measures.
During the Press Conference that followed the meeting, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou stated that " the new Strategy on the rights of the child should facilitate the adoption, at national level, of a dynamic policy for children which would consider the best interest of the child as a major criterion of any action and would encourage the active and responsible participation of children both in family and social life". In accordance with the Commissioner's intervention, she stressed the importance of the role of the coordinator for children and the need for this function to be created in all Member States.
The Vice-President of the European Commission and competent Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security, Mr Franco Frattini, was the keynote speaker at this event which gathered a large number of MEPs, representatives of the Council of Europe, the Economic and Social Committee, UNICEF and family NGOs. The Commissioner presented the latest developments generated by the Communication and the objectives of the Commission in the field of the rights of the child.
Presenting the Commission's Communication, the Commissioner pointed out that this was the first time that the Commission has adopted a horizontal approach and overall strategy for the protection and promotion of the rights of the child within the external and internal relations of the EU. Thus, it covers a large spectrum of policies, such as civil and penal law, employment, education and health as well as development cooperation and trade negotiations with third countries. Under this initiative, children acquire an entity and are considered as full citizens on an equal footing with adults. They are also given the opportunity to participate in the deliberations for the decisions which concern them.
Commenting on the text, the Commissioner stressed that the objective of the Commission is not to present new legislation, but rather use existing ones in order to achieve, as soon as possible, substantial results in the protection of the rights of the child which would be mainstreamed in all European policies. In this regard, transparency and consultation of children are working methods of great importance for the Commission. The role of the future European Coordinator for the Rights of the Child, whose duties will include the development of a close cooperation among the fourteen competent DGs of the European Commission and the creation of a permanent European Forum for the Rights of the Child, will also be of great importance. Mr Frattini emphasised that within the European Forum, public and private authorities of the Member States, international and European organisations, NGOs and children will exchange ideas and information on best practices. It will also have a catalyst role in the planning and implementation of the national policies based on the needs and interests of children.
Furthermore, the Commissioner informed the public of the implementation of specific measures for the protection of children such as the creation of European telephone lines for immediate help/aid which will be operational by the end of 2006, the creation of a website specifically designed for children, the support of banks in their fight against the use of credit cards for the acquisition of pornographic material, along with an adequate use of the activities funded by the DAPHNE programme and the promotion of the role of EUROPOL in the fight against criminal activities targeted at children. He underlined that during 2007 the Commission would present a new Communication on the fight against child poverty within the framework of development cooperation.
In response to questions of the assembly concerning the role of the family in the normal development of the child, the Commissioner stated that although family issues were of national competence, the Commission is planning to encourage family cohesion with adequate means. As far as the paedophilia party in the Netherlands is concerned, Mr Frattini indicated that the Commission could not intervene directly on this issue, but along with the Dutch Government it would closely follow any violation of the rights of children and take all appropriate dissuasive measures.
During the Press Conference that followed the meeting, Mrs Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou stated that " the new Strategy on the rights of the child should facilitate the adoption, at national level, of a dynamic policy for children which would consider the best interest of the child as a major criterion of any action and would encourage the active and responsible participation of children both in family and social life". In accordance with the Commissioner's intervention, she stressed the importance of the role of the coordinator for children and the need for this function to be created in all Member States.
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