Convention on the Rights of Child (CRC)
This treaty adopted by UN in 1989 and ratified by Pakistan in 1990 sets out the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of children and requires states to take measures to protect children from all forms of sexual abuse. Articles 19 and 34 are especially important for protecting children and adolescents from sexual violence. Article 19 governs the obligation of countries to protect children from all forms of violence, which includes sexual violence. Under Article 34 of the CRC, countries must explicitly commit to protecting children from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.
Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography
The Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography is a treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000. It aims to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse by criminalizing the sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography.
The protocol requires states that ratify it to prohibit the sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography, and to criminalize these acts both domestically and internationally. It also obliges states to protect child victims and provide them with assistance and support, such as medical care, psychological support, and social reintegration services. Additionally, the protocol mandates that states take measures to prevent the production and dissemination of child pornography, and to ensure that those who commit these crimes are punished accordingly. It also requires states to cooperate with each other in investigating and prosecuting cases of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Pakistan ratified the OPSC in 2011 and is thus obliged to report on progress to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva every five years. By ratifying this protocol, Pakistan has made a commitment to strengthening its efforts to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse, and to hold those responsible for these crimes accountable.
International Labour Organization Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour (No. 182)
ILO Convention No. 182, which addresses the worst forms of child labour, recognises sexual exploitation as one of the worst forms of child labour and provides a framework for dealing with this problem. It obliges states to take measures to prevent and eliminate the sexual exploitation of children, prosecute perpetrators, provide support to victims and emphasise the importance of education in preventing this form of abuse.