unicef: Child Labour is a violation of children’s basic rights.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: 10 June 2013
Children at a quarry, Bombali District, Sierra Leone.

Globally, an estimated 215 million children are involved in labour. A violation of children’s basic rights, labour that is detrimental to health or that otherwise impedes development must cease. Children who work rather than go to school are also more prone to a lifetime of poverty. The World Day against Child Labour – held annually on 12 June – calls for a global commitment to end the harmful practice.

©UNICEF/Olivier Asselin

To see more: www.unicef.org/photography

NEWS — Major milestone in international law.  

The Special Court for Sierra Leone handed down a guilty verdict against Charles Taylor on 26 April 2012 for planning, aiding and abetting war crimes and crimes against humanity. He was on trial on 11 charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including pillage, slavery for forced marriage purposes, collective punishment and the recruitment and use of child soldiers.

This is the first time since Nuremberg that an international tribunal has reached judgment in the trial of a former Head of State.

Judgement summary | Video | Audio

Overview from UN News Centre

Photo story

Statements:

• Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
• High Commissioner for Human Rights | Video
• Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict

With today’s judgement, the Special Court is on course towards being the first modern international criminal tribunal to complete its mandate.