United Nations Model Strategies and Practical Measures on the Elimination of Violence against Children in the Field of Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice A/RES/69/194 cooperation and technical assistance in the field of urban crime prevention, 13 the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials,14 the Guidelines for the Effective Implementation of the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials 15 and the Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials,16 Recalling further its relevant resolutions, as well as those of the Economic and Social Council, the Human Rights Council and the Commission on Human Rights,17 Convinced that violence against children is never justifiable and that it is the duty of States to protect children, including those in conflict with the law, from all forms of violence and human rights violations and to exercise due diligence to prohibit, prevent and investigate acts of violence against children, eliminate impunity and provide assistance to the victims, including prevention of revictimization, Acknowledging the value of the joint report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children on prevention of and responses to violence against children within the juvenile justice system,18 the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on access to justice for children19 and the joint report of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children on accessible and child-sensitive counselling, complaint and reporting mechanisms to address incidents of violence,20 Noting with appreciation the important work on child rights in the context of crime prevention and criminal justice conducted by United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Office of the High Commissioner and the United Nations Children’s Fund, and by the Special Representative and relevant mandate holders and treaty bodies, and welcoming the active participation of civil society in this field of work, Emphasizing that children, by reason of their physical and mental development, face particular vulnerabilities and need special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, Emphasizing also that children in contact with the justice system as victims, witnesses or alleged or recognized offenders must be treated in a child-sensitive manner and with respect for their rights, dignity and needs, Stressing that the right for all to have access to justice and the provision that child victims or witnesses of violence and children and juveniles in conflict with the law are entitled to the same legal guarantees and protection as are accorded to adults, including all fair trial guarantees, form an important basis for strengthening the rule of law through the administration of justice, _______________ 13 Economic and Social Council resolution 1995/9, annex. Resolution 34/169, annex. 15 Economic and Social Council resolution 1989/61, annex. 16 Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, Havana, 27 August–7 September 1990: report prepared by the Secretariat (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.91.IV.2), chap. I, sect. B.2, annex. 17 Including General Assembly resolutions 62/141, 62/158, 63/241, 64/146, 65/197, 65/213, 66/138, 66/139, 66/140, 66/141, 67/152 and 67/166; Economic and Social Council resolutions 2007/23 and 2009/26; and Human Rights Council resolutions 7/29, 10/2, 18/12, 19/37, 22/32 and 24/12. 18 A/HRC/21/25. 19 A/HRC/25/35 and Add.1. 20 A/HRC/16/56. 14 2/29