Statement by India under Agenda Item 3: Interactive dialogue with “SR on the Sale and Sexual exploitation of children, including child prostitution, child pornography and other child sexual abuse material” at the 49th Session of the Human Rights Council (28 February – 01 April 2022) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 09 March 2022)

Mr. President,

My delegation thanks the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of the report. We have taken note of the recommendations and conclusions of the SR’s report. The full statement will be uploaded on HRC Extranet.

2. India accords highest priority to safety and well-being of children. With 472 million population below the age of 18 years, India is home to nearly one in every five children in the world. Nearly one-third of them are below five years of age.

3. As a Party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols, India is encouraged by the progress in its implementation, during the last three decades. However, millions of children worldwide continue to remain vulnerable and continue to face multiple forms of sexual exploitation and abuse.

4. The Government of India has taken several initiatives to address sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

Mr. President,

5. Tourism contributes around 6.8% of India’s GDP. We are aware of the threat posed by tourism industry to the welfare of children and we have taken necessary steps to protect the children from becoming victims of sex tourism.

6. Cyberspace, which opens up huge opportunities for children to learn and connect to the world, regrettably also brings serious challenges and abuses of children. In India, child pornography is recognised as a cyber crime.

7. In conclusion, we express our firm support to the SR’s work on this agenda item.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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