A/66/227 Representative will, in the forthcoming period, devote particular attention to the areas set out below. A. Moving towards the universal ratification of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child 119. Encouraged by the wide expression of support for the global campaign for universal ratification, which is rooted in significant commitments undertaken by the international community, the Special Representative will continue to actively promote the achievement of this goal. B. Consolidating the development of regional governance structures and the promotion of the cross-regional exchange of experiences to ensure the protection of children from violence 120. The Special Representative will continue her advocacy in support of the institutionalization of regional governance structures and initiatives to accelerate progress in the follow-up to the study’s recommendations. In this regard, the Special Representative will, in the coming months, host a high-level meeting with representatives of these regional mechanisms to help strengthen synergies among them, to promote a cross-regional exchange of experiences and to consolidate children’s freedom from violence. C. Organizing expert consultations and developing thematic reports 121. The Special Representative will continue her fruitful series of expert consultations on selected violence-related priority areas. As noted above, one of these will be devoted to the consolidation of data and research on violence against children; a second will address violence and the administration of justice. Better data and research on violence against children 122. Violence against children is seldom reported, and official statistics remain limited in their ability to capture the true scale and extent of this phenomenon. As a result, available information is scarce and reflects only the tip of the iceberg. This is an area where urgent action is required and one to which the Special Representative will continue to devote priority attention. With that in mind, in 2012 she will join the Government of Sweden in the organization of an expert consultation on this issue. Violence and the administration of justice 123. The Special Representative places special emphasis on violence in justicerelated settings, through advocacy, policy dialogue initiatives and field missions. A justice system based on respect for the rights of the child is critical for preventing and addressing incidents of violence against children, as well as safeguarding the rights of victims and witnesses. 124. This is an area where significant work is being done, as illustrated in the 2011 thematic report on juvenile justice and human rights in the Americas issued by the 24 11-44118

Select target paragraph3

Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents