Sample letter for Ministers of Justice or members of Parliament/Congress



Dear

In many parts of the world, children are at risk of life-threatening violence that is perpetrated by government officials or takes place in institutions-such as schools or orphanages-under the direct control of government.

On a daily basis, children are beaten, tortured, sexually assaulted and even murdered, often by the very individuals responsible for their care and safety. In many schools, children are subject to corporal punishment or sexual violence by their teachers or classmates. Children, especially street children, are often beaten by police to extort money or tortured to coerce confessions. Children in detention facilities are frequently mistreated by guards or other inmates. Other children, dependent on the state for care, are abused in orphanages or state institutions.

Violence against children is inexcusable. I urge you to ensure that national legislation is adopted or amended as necessary to abolish all forms of violence against children, including corporal punishment in schools, detention centers and other institutions. To ensure the effective enforcement of such legislation, mechanisms should be created or strengthened to ensure that all incidents of violence against children are thoroughly and promptly investigated, and that perpetrators of such violence should be brought to justice. Training programs should also be instituted or expanded to ensure that police, judges, staff in detention facilities and other institutions, and others who work with children effectively protect and promote the rights of children.

All children have the right to be treated with respect and to be protected from violence and abuse. Thank you for your attention to this issue.

Sincerely yours,