Qatar reiterates support for comprehensive protection of children

The state of Qatar has stressed its belief in the concept of comprehensive protection of children that doesn't focus solely on detecting violations and punishing assailants but also takes precautionary measures to protect children from all circumstances that put them under risk, whether at home, school or even online.

Addressing the 34th session of the Human Rights Council, Noor Ibrahim Al Sada, Second Secretary of Qatar's Permanent Mission to the UN Office in Geneva, said, "Qatar also takes special interest in building a strong society and coherent families that help in raising healthy children away from all forms of violence, Al Sada said during an interactive dialogue with the UN Secretary-General's special representative on violence against children and the UN Secretary-General's special representative on children and armed conflict.

The Qatar News Agency quoted Al Sada as saying that Qatar has adopted the necessary legislations and created specialised entities that protect children, hailing the increasing global interest in eradicating violence against children, which culminated in having it listed as a goal on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The Qatari diplomat said investing in the protection of children and preventing violence will lead to a better future and the building of a world in which every child is safe from violence and exploitation, expressing the country's concern and condemnation of the severe dangers children are subjected to in armed conflicts, which jeopardise their physical and mental health as well as their natural growth.

Qatar reiterated the need to take effective measures to release all conscripted children and re-integrate them in their societies and families, in addition to putting an end to the practice of stripping children of their freedom during conflicts, stressing in this regard the importance of the Qatar-supported global study on children deprived of freedom.