It is incumbent upon the European Parliament to ensure that its legislative and non-legislative work is informed to respect, promote and safeguard the rights of the child and to advance children’s lives both within the EU and in its relations with the outside world.

Article 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union establishes the objective for the EU to promote protection of the rights of the child. The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights guarantees the protection of the rights of the child by the EU institutions and by EU countries when they implement EU law.

Children’s rights (2019 - 2020)

The rights of the child are part of human rights: rights that the EU and its Member States must respect, protect and fulfil. The Treaty on European Union establishes the objective for the EU to promote protection of the rights of the child. The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU guarantees the protection of the rights of the child by the EU institutions and by EU countries when they implement EU law. Over the years the European Parliament has been instrumental in pushing children's rights to the core of European policies, particularly through its Intergroup on Children's Rights.

On 14 November 2023, the Civil Liberties Committee adopted its position on new measures to protect children online by preventing and stopping child sexual abuse. The draft Parliament position was adopted by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs with 51 votes in favour, 2 against, and 1 abstaining. Inter-institutional negotiations were authorised with 48 in favour, 2 against, and 4 abstaining.

To protect children online, the new rules would mandate internet providers to assess whether there is a significant risk of their services being misused for online child sexual abuse and to solicit children, and to take measures to mitigate these risks. MEPs want mitigation measures to be targeted, proportionate and effective, and providers should be able to decide which ones to use.

They also want to ensure that pornographic sites have adequate age verification systems, flagging mechanisms for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and human content moderation to process these reports. To stop minors being solicited online, MEPs propose that services targeting children should require by default user consent for unsolicited messages, have blocking and muting options, and boost parental control.

Children’s rights

The European Parliament works to ensure that its legislative and non-legislative work respects, promotes and safeguards the rights of the child and advances children’s lives both within the EU and in relation to the outside world.

The EU school fruit, vegetable and milk scheme lasts throughout the school year in the participating EU countries.

Aimed at promoting healthy eating habits among children, the EU school scheme includes the distribution of fruit, vegetables and milk products, as well as dedicated educational programmes to teach pupils about the importance of good nutrition and to explain how food is produced.

#EUelections2019 - Children’s rights

Voting session

EP Plenary session - Strengthening children’s rights in the EU - 35th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

EP Plenary session - Creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for childrenEP Plenary session - Creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children

LIBE - Vote on Laying down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse

EP Plenary session - Children's Right

JURI Committee - Exchange of views with EP coordinator on Children's Rights

High-level conference to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child- Concluding remarks

High-level conference to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child- Second panel : ' Every child has the right to dream '

High-level conference to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child - First panel : ' Every child has the right to live and thrive '

High-level conference to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child- Group photo

Opening of the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

High-level conference to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child - Opening

High-level conference to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child- Opening session

High-level conference to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child- Meeting between Queen MATHILDE OF BELGIUM, EP president David SASSOLI, Marie ARENA and Shirley Ayorkor BOTCHWEY, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ghana.

Antonio TAJANI, EP President participates to the World Children’s Day Event

World Children’s Day Event

Intergroup on children's rights debate with children and high level representatives ‘ The Europe we want ‘  on the occasion of #WorldChildrensDay

Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS in plenary session week 43 2016 in Strasbourg - Debate ' Afghanistan, notably EU commitments and the EP role on the EU-Afghanistan Joint Way Forward on migration issues on Afghanistan general and Joint way forward '

Extra maternity paternity leave (extra time off for young mothers and fathers)

MEPs debate on the creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children. MEPs debate.

EP Plenary session - Creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children: MEPs debate

MEPs debate on the creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children. Opening statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EP Plenary session - Creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children: Opening statement by the Commission

MEPs debate on the creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children. Closing statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography.

EP Plenary session - Creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children: Closing statement by the Commission

MEPs discuss with the Council and Commission how to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children being forcibly deported to Russia. Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, international organisations have documented a wide range of serious human rights violations affecting children. Reports of children forcibly deported or displaced by Russian authorities, combined in many cases with them being subjected to re-education programmes and forced adoption, have raised concern. According to the Children of War initiative of the Ukrainian National Information Bureau (NIB), more than 19 500 children have been deported or forcibly displaced, and only 388 have been returned. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against President Putin, and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights.

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Need to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia: Closing statement by Commission and Council

MEPs discuss with the Council and Commission how to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children being forcibly deported to Russia. Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, international organisations have documented a wide range of serious human rights violations affecting children. Reports of children forcibly deported or displaced by Russian authorities, and being subjected to re-education programmes and forced adoption, have raised concern. According to the Children of War initiative of the Ukrainian National Information Bureau (NIB), more than 19 500 children have been deported or forcibly displaced, and only 388 have been returned. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against President Putin, and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights.This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Need to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia: Opening statement by Council and Commission

MEPs discuss with the Council and Commission how to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children being forcibly deported to Russia. Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, international organisations have documented a wide range of serious human rights violations affecting children. Reports of children forcibly deported or displaced by Russian authorities, combined in many cases with them being subjected to re-education programmes and forced adoption, have raised concern. According to the Children of War initiative of the Ukrainian National Information Bureau (NIB), more than 19 500 children have been deported or forcibly displaced, and only 388 have been returned. This news item shows extracts from the MEP's debate in plenary.

Ukrainian children deported to Russia: extracts from the debate

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Need to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia: MEPs debate

MEPs vote on the following topics: Reinhard Bütikofer (AFET A9-0373/2023) - EU-Japan relations; María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos (AFET A9-0371/2023) - The situation of children deprived of liberty in the world; Barry Andrews (DEVE A9-0322/2023) - Role of EU development policy in transforming the extractive industries for sustainable development in developing countries; György Hölvényi (DEVE A9-0338/2023) - EU development cooperation to enhance access to education and training in developing countries; Erik Poulsen (ENVI A9-0366/2023) - Non-communicable diseases; Tomislav Sokol, Annalisa Tardino (ENVI/LIBE A9-0395/2023) - European Health Data Space; Victor Negrescu (AFCO A9-0384/2023) - Implementation of the Treaty provisions on special legislative procedures; Objection to a delegated act pursuant to Rule 111(3); Motions for resolutions - 30 years of Copenhagen criteria - giving further impetus to EU enlargement policy.

MEPs discuss the wellbeing and the protection of children in Europe, marking the International Day on the Rights of the Child. The Parliament also debate how to strengthen the Child Guarantee, two years after its adoption in 2021. MEPs discuss a report to reduce inequalities and increase social inclusion in times of crisis for children and their families. In the text, Parliament calls for better integrated social, educational and employment services to help break the vicious circle of poverty and to protect children and their families at risk of poverty, in particular in times of crisis. Closing statement by Sandra PEREIRA, Rapporteur and Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography

International Day on the Rights of the Child: closing statement by Sandra PEREIRA, Rapporteur and Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography

MEPs discuss the wellbeing and the protection of children in Europe, marking the International Day on the Rights of the Child. The Parliament also debate how to strengthen the Child Guarantee, two years after its adoption in 2021. MEPs discuss a report to reduce inequalities and increase social inclusion in times of crisis for children and their families. In the text, Parliament calls for better integrated social, educational and employment services to help break the vicious circle of poverty and to protect children and their families at risk of poverty, in particular in times of crisis.

International Day on the Rights of the Child: MEPs debate

MEPs discuss the wellbeing and the protection of children in Europe, marking the International Day on the Rights of the Child. The Parliament also debate how to strengthen the Child Guarantee, two years after its adoption in 2021. MEPs discuss a report to reduce inequalities and increase social inclusion in times of crisis for children and their families. In the text, Parliament calls for better integrated social, educational and employment services to help break the vicious circle of poverty and to protect children and their families at risk of poverty, in particular in times of crisis. Opening statement by Sandra PEREIRA (The Left, PT), Rapporteur and Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography and Ewa KOPACZ (EPP, PL), on behalf of the FEMM Committee. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Joint debate International Day on the Rights of the Child: opening statement by Sandra PEREIRA, Rapporteur and Dubravka ŠUICA, VP of the EC in charge of Democracy and Demography and by Ewa KOPACZ, on behalf of the FEMM Committee

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, opens the plenary session in Strasbourg with introductory remarks on the International Day on the Rights of the Child (20 Nov.). This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Introductory remark by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, on the International Day on the Rights of the Child (20 Nov.)

Javier ZARZALEJOS (EPP, ES), Rapporteur, gives a statement about the Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) voting a proposal to lay down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse online. The proposal suggests that service providers should be obligated to evaluate the substantial risks of their platforms being used for online child sexual abuse and grooming. It also proposes granting judicial authorities the authority to issue time-limited orders for detecting and removing such materials and establishing an EU Center for Child Protection. This center, among its various responsibilities, would serve as the primary complaint channel for the entire European Union. This news item shows extracts from the vote in the Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) and a statement of Javier Zarzalejos, Rapporteur on the proposal for laying down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse.

Vote on Laying down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse online: extracts from the vote and statement by Javier ZARZALEJOS (EPP, ES), Rapporteur

The draft report of the European Parliament on EU strategy for a more effective fight against child sexual abuse welcomes and shares the European Commission's proposal’s main aims. Yet the draft report includes a number of new elements. For instance, it includes in its scope search engines and other artificial intelligence systems and limits CSA scanning in E2E encryption to metadata analysis in order to detect suspicious patterns of behaviour without having access to the content of the encrypted communication. Javier ZARZALEJOS (EPP, ES) Rapporteur, Paul TANG (S&D, NL), Hilde VAUTMANS (Renew, BE), Patrick BREYER (Greens/EFA, DE) and Cornelia ERNST (The Left, DE), shadow rapporteurs, hold a press conference on the proposal for a Regulation laying down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Javier ZARZALEJOS (EPP, ES) rapporteur, Paul TANG (S&D, NL), Hilde VAUTMANS (Renew, BE), Patrick BREYER (Greens/EFA, DE) and Cornelia ERNST (The Left, DE): Proposal for a Regulation laying down rules to prevent child sexual abuse

MEPs vote on several texts: opening of negotiations on the Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders - Guillaume, Human rights situation in Afghanistan, in particular the persecution of former government officials - Motion for resolution, the case of Zarema Musaeva in Chechnya - Motion for resolution, Egypt, in particular the sentencing of Hisham Kassem - Motion for resolution, European green bonds - Tang, Scheme of generalised tariff preferences - Hautala, Financial services contracts concluded at a distance - Kokalari, Urban wastewater treatment. Recast - Torvalds, Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s attack - Motion for resolution, Taking stock of Moldova’s path to the EU - Motion for resolution, The new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+) - Motion for resolution.

Voting session: Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders, the new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+), taking stock of Moldova’s path to the EU

MEPs debate on the current situation on the child labour and how to protect and guarantee children's rights on the occasion of the World Day against Child Labour during the plenary session in Strasbourg. The European Parliament has condemned child labour and its various forms within and outside the EU in a number of resolutions over the years. During the current term, Parliament has issued, inter alia, a resolution on children's rights in view of the EU strategy on the rights of the child (March 2021), calling on the Commission and Member States to end, in law and in practice, all child labour and all other forms of work likely to harm children's health and safety. One round of political group speakers

Marking the World Day against Child Labour: one round of political group speakers

MEPs debate on the current situation on the child labour and how to protect and guarantee children's rights on the occasion of the World Day. The European Parliament has condemned child labour and its various forms within and outside the EU in a number of resolutions over the years. During the current term, Parliament has issued, inter alia, a resolution on children's rights in view of the EU strategy on the rights of the child (March 2021), calling on the Commission and Member States to end, in law and in practice, all child labour and all other forms of work likely to harm children's health and safety. Opening statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please chack against delivery.

Marking the World Day against Child Labour: opening statement by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

MEPs debate on the current situation of children in Rainbow Families and same sex parents in Italy. Closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

The rights of children in Rainbow Families and same sex parents in particular in Italy: closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

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