Exhibition "Children Human Rights Defenders”

Ambassador Brattskar,
Ms. Schulter,
Ms. Otani,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
And especially, all the young people in the room,

It is a privilege to be among you today, as we celebrate the young and brave children defending human rights all over the world. Thank you Child Rights Connects, Ambassador Brattskar and the Permanent Mission of Norway for bringing this event to the Palais des Nations.

A landmark for children and their rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child is one of the most widely ratified human rights instruments worldwide.

Yet as we speak, the basic human rights of hundreds of millions of children are not being respected: globally, 274 million children are denied access to education; 218 million children are subjected to child labour; and 1 billion children have experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence in the past year alone.

These numbers are an unacceptable reality. We need to urgently strengthen protection for the generations that will succeed us.

Because human rights are universal - not bound by either age or gender – and every child is entitled to equal treatment and a life of dignity.

And just as rights apply to everyone, no one should be prevented from defending them. As Kofi Annan once said, “You are never too young to be a leader.”

Looking around the room, I see young defenders and human rights advocates who are fighting for their rights and the rights of others – to make the world a better place.

You must use all the tools at your disposal to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.

And we at the UN, and countless human rights defenders around the world, have a responsibility to recognise your efforts, and do everything we can to support your endeavours.

I am a firm believer that if we want to achieve the Agenda for Sustainable Development by 2030 – to successfully complete this daunting task ahead of us – we must do so with the participation of all, but especially young people.

So thank you – thank you for coming here today, to educate us about your struggles and to share your solutions through this exhibition.

Above all, thank you for your courage and commitment to protecting human rights.