On 28-29 March 2023, the Steering Committee for the Rights of the Child (CDENF) held its 7^th plenary meeting in Reykjavik, Iceland.

During the meeting, the CDENF:

• Approved a draft Recommendation containing Guidelines on strengthening reporting systems on violence against children and adopted its draft Explanatory Memorandum.
• Approved a draft Declaration on the situation of children of Ukraine affected by the Russian Federation’s continued aggression against Ukraine.

These documents will be submitted to the Committee of Ministers in due course.

The Committee also reviewed the progress of its other activities within the framework of the implementation of the CoE Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2022-2027), notably in the areas of child-friendly justice, child-friendly healthcare services and the rights of migrant children.

Further to this, the CDENF held exchanges with Najat Maalla M'jid, United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children and with Leyla Kayacik, Special Representative of the Council of Europe Secretary General on Migration and Refugees, who emphasised the crucial importance of the Committee’s work for combatting violence against children and upholding the rights of migrant and refugee children.

On 30 March 2023, the CDENF members participated a High-Level Conference on “Investing in Children – the Key to Prosperity”, organised under the Icelandic Presidency of the Committee of Ministers. 

 Abridged report