Joint Statement after the adoption of the draft resolution A/C.3/66/L.66 on the Optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure delivered by Mr. Amin Javed Faizal, 2 November 2011
Mr. Chairman,
On behalf of the cross-regional group of main sponsors composed of Austria, Chile, Germany, Maldives, Slovakia, Slovenia, Thailand and Uruguay, I have the honour to make this joint statement after the adoption of the draft resolution A/C.3/66/L.66 entitled “Optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure”, as orally revised.
Mr. Chairman,
The main sponsors extend their appreciation to all delegations that participated in the negotiations on this resolution and in the negotiations on the Optional Protocol itself, as well as to all other actors involved in this process, for their constructive engagement.
The adoption of this resolution and of the Optional Protocol culminates a long and inclusive process to establish a communications procedure to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Through its adoption, the members of the international community demonstrate a high level of commitment to the strengthening of protection measures for children around the world.
It is our firm belief that the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child will be an instrumental mechanism for strengthening the protection of the rights guaranteed under the Convention and its two substantive optional protocols, and that it will positively influence the development of protection and remedy mechanisms for children at the national level.
Mr Chairman,
While the strong preference of the main sponsors of this draft would have been to retain the wording as recommended by the Human Rights Council, we are also cognizant of the spirit of compromise that was reached in the open-ended Working Group in the Human Rights Council during the negotiations on the Optional Protocol.
In preserving that compromise and also in appealing to the broader consensus, we are grateful that this resolution was adopted by consensus, and we look forward to its subsequent adoption in the General Assembly.
Mr Chairman,
Allow me to recall that the Optional Protocol will be opened for signature in 2012. In this connection, we would like to encourage all States to sign, and ratify or accede to the Protocol, enabling its entry into force at the earliest possible opportunity.
Thank You
