Legal Frameworks for Combating Sexual Exploitation of Children

Respect for human dignity is the foundation of human rights. Sexual exploitation of children is a gross violation of their right to respect for their human dignity and physical and mental integrity. Fulfilment of States’ human rights obligations under international law requires effective protection for all children from all forms of sexual exploitation. This document intends to summarise and take stock of the international and national legislative progress that has been made towards the fulfilling of the commitments undertaken at the World Congresses against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (Stockholm 1996, Yokohama 2001) and calls for urgent action to consolidate legislation and implement it effectively.The III World Congress against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children is slated to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in November 2008.