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UNICEF - Joint statement on Somalia’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Somalia becomes 196th State Party to the Convention

“Somalia’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child is a significant and very welcome step toward realizing the rights of the country's 6.5 million children.

“The children of Somalia face enormous challenges. Somalia today has one of the highest under-five mortality rates in the world, alarming malnutrition rates, and very high levels of violence affecting children.  

“By becoming the 196th nation to ratify the Convention, Somalia has committed to uphold the dignity and worth of every child and translate the obligations of the CRC into concrete actions, especially for those children in greatest need and at greatest risk.

“The provisions of the Convention provide a legal framework for the Somalian Government’s efforts to uphold children’s rights, as it continues its work to put in place comprehensive domestic legislation aimed at protecting children.   

“As the world comes together around the new Sustainable Development Goals, we look forward to supporting the efforts of the Government and the people of Somalia to make children’s rights the cornerstone of their country’s social progress – and in so doing, secure better lives and brighter futures for every Somali child and for Somalia itself.

“This brings us closer than ever to universal ratification of this central human rights treaty.”

Anthony Lake, Unicef Executive Director   

Leila Zerrougui, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict   

Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children  

Benyam Dawit Mezmur, Chairperson of the Committee on the Rights of the Child  

Notes for editors:

For further information please contact the Unicef UK Press Office on +44 (0)20 7375 6030 or media@unicef.org.uk

About Unicef

Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.  

Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children.  As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK. For more information please visit unicef.org.uk

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