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The Movement

Defence for Children International is an independent non-governmental organisation that has been promoting and protecting children’s rights on a global, regional, national and local level for 30 years.

Defence for Children International is represented through its national sections and associated members in 47* countries worldwide.

Its International Secretariat is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

*Data available on February 2013 at the International Executive Council (IEC) meetingRead More

Juvenile Justice

Defence for Children International believes that no child belongs behind bars. The deprivation of liberty should be used only as the very last resort in dealing with children in conflict with the law.

During its International General Assembly in 2008, Defence for Children International reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to juvenile justice as its priority issue at the international level.
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Position Statements

As an international human rights organisation, Defence for Children International works to raise awareness about child rights violations and advocate for governments and stakeholders at regional and international levels to take action to implement international child rights standards.

Click below to read Defence for Children International’s position statements on key child rights issues.
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Focus

Human Rights Council (HRC) XXII Session, 25 February - 22 March 2013, Geneva – Switzerland

From 25 February to 22 March, the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) convenes its 22nd session in Geneva. Concerning children’s rights during the 22nd session, the HRC will hold interactive dialogues with its Special Procedures on torture, arbitrary detention, the sale of children, and will hear the presentation of reports from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on violence against children.

The Council will hold its annual full-day meeting on the rights of the child on 7 March, which will focus on the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health. On this day, Defence for Children International (DCI) in collaboration with the Interagency Panel on Juvenile Justice (IPJJ), World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), and with the support of the Permanent Mission of Brazil, the Permanent Mission of Denmark to the UN, and the Permanent Mission of Norway to the UN, will hold a side-event on Mental & Physical Health in Juvenile Detention (more info).

The HRC is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them. It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year. The HRC holds no fewer than three regular sessions a year, for a total of at least ten weeks, the first which takes place in March (four weeks), the second in June (three weeks) and the third in September (three weeks).