Statement by India under Agenda Item 3, Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children, at the 55^thSession of the Human Rights Council (26 February - 5 April 2024), delivered by Mr. K.S. Mohammed Hussain, First Secretary (Legal), Permanent Mission of India, Geneva, on 5 March 2024

Mr. Vice President,

1. 1. We thank the Special Rapporteur for presenting the study on sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the entertainment industry,and note its findings.
    

2. 2. India is fully committed to protecting children from sexual abuse or exploitation, and we take this opportunity to highlight some important national initiatives in this regard:
   
   a. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act of 2012 provides a comprehensive framework to protect children from sexual exploitation.
   
   b. The Child Labour Prohibition & Regulation Act of 1986 controls the working of children as artists in the entertainment industry, under strict conditions and safety measures, prohibiting certain kinds of work, and provisioning for their education to not be impeded.
   
   c. In case of any instances of children working in the entertainment industry suffering cruelty, sexual exploitation or abuse, they are considered children in need of care and protection with their rehabilitation then governed by the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act of 2015.
   
   d. Further, in May 2023, India’s National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights issued detailed guidelines for child participation in the entertainment industry.
    

Mr. Vice President,

3. 3. India is committed to the comprehensive protection of children, and will continue to strengthen measures and their implementation, to ensure this.

I thank you.