HRC61 - EU Statement - Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children
United Nations Human Rights Council
61st Session
Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children
9 March 2026
EU statement
The European Union thanks the Special Rapporteur for her update and, since this is her last presentation to the Council in this capacity, congratulate her on the important work accomplished during her mandate.
The European Union remains firmly committed to combatting the pervasive issue of sexual abuse and exploitation of children, and are actively working on strengthening legislation, online regulation, prevention, protection and victim support. We are currently strengthening EU’s principal law against child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation (Directive 2011/93/EU) to update criminal law definitions, keep up with technological advances harmonise penalties, and improve victims’ rights across Member States.
We are deeply concerned by the finding of your report that technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and abuse have intensified, and that wider global crises are creating new vulnerabilities for children and stretching national protection capacities. In November 2025, EU Member States agreed on the Council’s position on a new regulation to prevent and combat child sexual abuse. Once adopted, it will require digital companies to prevent the dissemination of abuse material and online grooming, while giving national authorities the power to order the removal or blocking of illegal content. The regulation will also create a new EU Centre on Child Sexual Abuse to support Member States and online platforms in implementing these rules effectively.
As you look back on your mandate, which recurrent effective measure to combat sexual exploitation and abuse of children would you most like to highlight?