Council of Europe

On 5 April 2011, the National Assembly of Azerbaijan held discussions on how to stop violence against children and to increase public awareness, and presented the parliamentary dimension of the Council of Europe ONE in FIVE Campaign to stop sexual violence against children. Parliamentarians, NGOs and media representatives participated, under the chairmanship of the Vice-President of the Parliament Ms Muradova.

Ms Fataliyeva, contact parliamentarian to stop sexual violence against children, briefed participants about the campaign and its objectives. "Every state and every nation thinks about its future (...) Mentality is formed from the moment a child comes into this world. From this point of view, those who want to see their country strong and developed should provide a healthy atmosphere for forming the children as they grow up in this country. The atmosphere is created in the child’s family, at school, in the street, anywhere where a child acts. For many years, one of the top priority issues for the Council of Europe is protecting children. This time, the Council of Europe has started a new campaign to stop sexual violence against children."

Representatives of civil society and media underlined the necessity to equip children and their families with the knowledge and tools to prevent and also to report violence against children. Participants welcomed the endeavours of the Council of Europe and its Parliamentary Assembly to attract member states to the international instrument aimed at protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse.