Council of Europe Treaty Series - No. 201
Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual
Exploitation and Sexual Abuse *
Lanzarote, 25.X.2007
Preamble
The member States of the Council of Europe and the other signatories hereto;
Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater unity between its
members;
Considering that every child has the right to such measures of protection as are required by
his or her status as a minor, on the part of his or her family, society and the State;
Observing that the sexual exploitation of children, in particular child pornography and
prostitution, and all forms of sexual abuse of children, including acts which are committed
abroad, are destructive to children’s health and psycho-social development;
Observing that the sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children have grown to worrying
proportions at both national and international level, in particular as regards the increased use
by both children and perpetrators of information and communication technologies (ICTs), and
that preventing and combating such sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children require
international co-operation;
Considering that the well-being and best interests of children are fundamental values shared
by all member States and must be promoted without any discrimination;
Recalling the Action Plan adopted at the 3rd Summit of Heads of State and Governments of
the Council of Europe (Warsaw, 16-17 May 2005), calling for the elaboration of measures to
stop sexual exploitation of children;
Recalling in particular the Committee of Ministers Recommendation No. R (91) 11 concerning
sexual exploitation, pornography and prostitution of, and trafficking in, children and young
adults, Recommendation Rec(2001)16 on the protection of children against sexual
exploitation, and the Convention on Cybercrime (ETS No. 185), especially Article 9 thereof, as
well as the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings
(CETS No. 197);
Bearing in mind the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental
Freedoms (1950, ETS No. 5), the revised European Social Charter (1996, ETS No. 163), and
the European Convention on the Exercise of Children’s Rights (1996, ETS No. 160);
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(*) The Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European
Community entered into force on 1 December 2009. As a consequence, as from that date, any
reference to the European Economic Community shall be read as the European Union.