VOTING INSTRUCTION: JOIN CONSENSUS AND DELIVER

UNCLAS STATE 117719

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM AORC SOCI UNGA
SUBJECT: VOTING INSTRUCTION: JOIN CONSENSUS AND DELIVER
EXPLANATION OF POSITION ON UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
RESOLUTION &GUIDELINES FOR THE ALTERNATIVE CARE OF
CHILDREN8

REF: PHIPPS-DEPARTMENT EMAIL (11/11/09 AT 6:32PM)


1. The Department authorizes USDEL to join consensus on the
resolution entitled &Guidelines for the Alternative Care of
Children8 based on the text of the resolution provided in
reftel.


2. USDEL is further instructed to deliver the following
explanation of position:

The United States is committed to protecting the well-being
and rights of children worldwide and we believe strongly in
creating healthy, supportive, and safe environments for
children to thrive and grow. We commend the Government of
Brazil and others for undertaking this positive initiative to
underscore the well-being of children worldwide, particularly
those who are vulnerable and in need of care.

We remain concerned, however, about the overbroad scope of
the Guidelines. In the United States, different aspects of
the care of unaccompanied children are formulated locally and
different approaches are used to ensure the well-being of
unaccompanied children. We would like to underscore that the
purpose and nature of the Guidelines, as stated therein, is
to set out desirable orientations for policy and practice.
Our understanding, as was stated in consultations, is that
these Guidelines are not obligatory or binding upon States,
but rather reflect useful recommendations states may use as
they develop domestic policy affecting children without
parental care.

We welcome the spirit embodied in the Guidelines for the
Alternative Care of Children and believe that the Guidelines
offer useful policy orientations for the protection of
children without parental care. We recognize how difficult,
but important, this effort is and fully support the goals of
the Guidelines.
CLINTON