It is incumbent upon the European Parliament to ensure that its legislative and non-legislative work is informed to respect, promote and safeguard the rights of the child and to advance children’s lives both within the EU and in its relations with the outside world.

Article 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union establishes the objective for the EU to promote protection of the rights of the child. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights guarantees the protection of the rights of the child by the EU institutions and by EU countries when they implement EU law.

Children’s rights (2019 - 2020)

The rights of the child are part of human rights: rights that the EU and its Member States must respect, protect and fulfil. The Treaty on European Union establishes the objective for the EU to promote protection of the rights of the child.

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU guarantees the protection of the rights of the child by the EU institutions and by EU countries when they implement EU law. Over the years the European Parliament has been instrumental in pushing children's rights to the core of European policies, particularly through its Intergroup on Children's Rights.

Its latest resolution, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the UNCRC, emphasised the importance of focusing on both the external and internal aspects of children's rights across all portfolios. The plan for a comprehensive strategy on the rights of the child, including actions to protect vulnerable children, protect their rights online, foster child-friendly justice, and prevent and fight violence.

In the context of a worrying increase in the volume of child abuse material on the internet, during the July session MEPs endorsed a temporary regulation that allows web-based service providers to continue fighting child sexual abuse material online on a voluntary basis.

This legislative change was necessary to allow web service providers to continue applying voluntary measures to combat and prevent the spread of child sexual abuse content on the internet, following the full application of the EU Electronics Communications Code in December 2020. The Commission intends to propose a more permanent solution to address this problem in the course of 2021.

Children’s rights

The European Parliament works to ensure that its legislative and non-legislative work respects, promotes and safeguards the rights of the child and advances children’s lives both within the EU and in relation to the outside world.

The EU school fruit, vegetable and milk scheme lasts throughout the school year in the participating EU countries.

Aimed at promoting healthy eating habits among children, the EU school scheme includes the distribution of fruit, vegetables and milk products, as well as dedicated educational programmes to teach pupils about the importance of good nutrition and to explain how food is produced.

#EUelections2019 - Children’s rights

EP Plenary - Afghanistan, notably the allegations of sexual abuse of boys in the Logar Province

The internet provides many opportunities for kids to learn and explore, to be creative or to interact with their friends and family, but it also entails many risks such as cyberbullying, age-inappropriate content, disinformation and sexual abuse. In May 2022, the European Commission published a new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+). The new strategy contributes to the vision for the EU's digital transformation by 2030 and reflects the principle, 'Children and young people should be protected and empowered online'. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Creating a better internet for kids

Signature of five COD LEX by David SASSOLI, EP President and by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Presidency of the Council in the European Parliament in Brussels (loan facility under the Just Transition Mechanism, cross-border payments in the Union, combating online child sexual abuse, measures for the recognition of third countries certificates and NAFO Regulation).

Lex signing ceremony: signature of Four Lex Cod by David SASSOLI, EP President and Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council

MEPs debated with the Council and the Commission and voted during the plenary session on a temporary regulation that allows the providers of web-based email, chats and messaging services to voluntarily detect, remove and report child sexual abuse online as well as to use scanning technologies to detect cyber grooming. During the debate, MEPs stressed about ensuring a right balance between children's protection and safeguarding privacy.

Combating online child sexual abuse: extracts from the debate (05/07) and from the vote

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the use of technologies for the processing of data for the purpose of combating online child sexual abuse: closing statements by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs.

Use of technologies for the processing of data to combating online child sexual abuse: closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the use of technologies for the processing of data for the purpose of combating online child sexual abuse: opening statements by Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE), rapporteur and by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and by Christine ANDERSON (ID,DE), FEMM. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Use of technologies for the processing of data to combating online child sexual abuse: opening statements by Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE), rapporteur, Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and by Christine ANDERSON (ID, DE)

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the use of technologies for the processing of data for the purpose of combating online child sexual abuse.

Use of technologies for the processing of data to combating online child sexual abuse: MEPs debate

During the plenary session (16-19 December 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, such as violations of human rights including religious freedoms in Burkina Faso, the allegations of sexual abuse of boys in the Logar Province in Afghanistan, and the Russian "Foreign Agents" Law. Statements by Assita KANKO (ECR, BE), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President, Kati PIRI (S&D, NL), Anna FOTYGA (ECR, PL) and Antony HOOK (RE, UK).

Cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law: extracts from the debates

Debate during the plenary session of February in Strasbourg on the fight against child sexual abuse on the Internet. Statements by Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE), Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE), Timothy KIRKHOPE (ECR, UK), Nathalie GRIESBECK (ALDE, FR) and Martina ANDERSON (GUE/NGL, UK).

fight against child sex crimes (T)

Videos

EPRS - Creating a better internet for kids

Lex signing ceremony: signature of Four Lex Cod by David SASSOLI, EP President and Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council

Combating online child sexual abuse: extracts from the debate (05/07) and from the vote

Use of technologies for the processing of data to combating online child sexual abuse: closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

Use of technologies for the processing of data to combating online child sexual abuse: opening statements by Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE), rapporteur, Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and by Christine ANDERSON (ID, DE)

Use of technologies for the processing of data to combating online child sexual abuse: MEPs debate

Cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law: extracts from the debates

Fight against child sexual abuse on the Internet: extracts from the debate

Photos

EP Plenary - Afghanistan, notably the allegations of sexual abuse of boys in the Logar Province

EP Plenary - Afghanistan, notably the allegations of sexual abuse of boys in the Logar Province

EP Plenary - Afghanistan, notably the allegations of sexual abuse of boys in the Logar Province

EP Plenary - Afghanistan, notably the allegations of sexual abuse of boys in the Logar Province

EP Plenary - Afghanistan, notably the allegations of sexual abuse of boys in the Logar Province

EP Plenary - Afghanistan, notably the allegations of sexual abuse of boys in the Logar Province

EP Plenary - Afghanistan, notably the allegations of sexual abuse of boys in the Logar Province

EP Plenary - Afghanistan, notably the allegations of sexual abuse of boys in the Logar Province

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Children’s rights

#EUelections2019 - Children’s rights

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