UN Special Rapporteur, Najat M'jid Maalla, reports on her last year's visit to Latvia
On 16 September, at the 12th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Najat M'jid Maalla, as part of her annual report, informed about her visit to Latvia from 25 to 31 October and to Estonia from 20 to 24 October 2008. The Special Rapporteur stressed that in Latvia the number of reported cases of child prostitution and trafficking of children for sexual purposes is low. The internet technologies, however, increased possibilities of spreading child pornography. The Special Rapporteur noted that, during her visit, she had been witness to the political will by Latvian authorities to protect the rights of the child. In Latvia, numerous legislative reforms have been undertaken; procedures have been put in place to prevent illegal adoption, and child protection mechanisms are operational. At the same time, the Rapporteur made a number of recommendations regarding the improvement of the system for the protection of the rights of the child. In his response, the Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Latvia to UN, Janis Mazeiks, told about a number of measures in the area of protecting the rights of the child implemented by the Government of Latvia since the Rapporteur's visit and encouraged other countries to follow Latvia's example of issuing the so called standing invitation to all special procedures by the UN Human Rights Council. For more information: (End of text)
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