New Zealand Executive Government News Release Archive

29 August 1996

Rt Hon Don McKinnon

Minister of Foreign Affairs

Sexual Exploitation of Children

The adoption of a global declaration against the commercial sexual exploitation of children has been strongly endorsed by Foreign Minister Don McKinnon.

The Declaration and Agenda for Action was adopted yesterday at the World Congress against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children being held in Sweden.

This Congress and the documents included in the Declaration provide us with an excellent opportunity to encourage other countries to take action against this ghastly and destructive business.

Just as importantly its a tremendously useful first step in raising international awareness of the abhorrent problem of commercial sexual exploitation of children, Mr McKinnon said.

New Zealand can be justly proud of its record to date in taking positive measures aimed at fighting the problem. We took an early lead, along with Australia, by enacting child sex tourism legislation last year which enables prosecutions in New Zealand for offences committed overseas.

The New Zealand delegation will participate actively in workshops being held this week. These provide an excellent opportunity to exchange information and develop initiatives to combat the problem.

The New Zealand delegation includes officials from the Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Police and Customs. New Zealand non-governmental organisations are also represented at the Congress.

The Congress is a joint initiative of the Swedish Government, UNICEF and ECPAT (End Child Prostitution in Asia Tourism pressure group). It is the first international meeting to bring together governments, UN agencies and other organisations working to combat sexual exploitation of children.

Inquiries: Suse Reynolds Press Secretary ph (04) 471 9811

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