CHILD PROTECTION COVENANTS: ITALY

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 002176

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2004
TAGS: PHUM ELAB IT HUMAN RIGHTS
SUBJECT: CHILD PROTECTION COVENANTS: ITALY

REF: REF: STATE 126276

CLASSIFIED BY: LABOR COUNSELOR JOHN BASS, REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) ITALY HAS RATIFIED ALL THREE COVENANTS; THE COVENANTS
ON CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT AND SALE OF
CHILDREN/PROSTITUTION WERE RATIFIED AND IMPLEMENTED IN MARCH
2002 AND ILO 182 TWO YEARS EARLIER IN MAY 2000. WE
PERIODICALLY DISCUSS CHILDREN'S RIGHTS ISSUES WITH GOI
INTERLOCUTORS, MOST RECENTLY IN THE RUN-UP TO THE ANNUAL
SESSION OF THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION. ITALIAN OFFICIALS
EVINCE A STRONG COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING AND UPHOLDING
CHILDREN'S RIGHTS, A POSITION THAT REFLECTS BROAD SOCIETAL
SUPPORT AND CONSENSUS. THESE DISCUSSIONS INVARIABLY INCLUDE
POLITE BUT POINTED INQUIRIES FROM OUR ITALIAN COLLEAGUES
SEEKING CLARIFICATION OF WHETHER THE U.S. INTENDS TO RATIFY
THE UMBRELLA CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD.


2. (U) ITALIAN AUTHORITIES STRONGLY ENFORCE ITALIAN LAW AND
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS COVERING CHILDREN'S RIGHTS. IN THE
LAST FEW MONTHS, NATIONAL POLICE ROLLED UP AN ORGANIZED CRIME
GROUP AUCTIONING OFF BABIES OF PROSTITUTES AND ARRESTED 400
IN A NATIONWIDE CRACKDOWN ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ON THE
INTERNET, TO CITE BUT TWO RECENT EXAMPLES.
SEMBLER

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2003ROME02176 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL