Today Tunisia became the 45th state to join the Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (CETS No.201 - “Lanzarote Convention”). Naziha Laâbidi, Minister of Women, Family and Children, has deposited the instrument of accession during a ceremony with the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni.
A “highly symbolic” event, said Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General, stressing that Tunisia has become the first non-member state to accede to the Convention. “Now, our work to criminalise sexual offences against children, support victims and prosecute perpetrators expands beyond Europe”, she added. “We hope that this will prompt other countries in the world, as well as the few Council of Europe members that are still not parties to adhere to this unique instrument to protect their children from this horrendous crime.”
The Convention will enter into force with regard to Tunisia on 1 February 2020.
