Egypt supports renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the sale, sexual exploitation, and sexual abuse of children
Author : Ingy Ihab Published at : Mar 30, 2026
Ingy Ihab
On 30 March 2026, during the 52nd meeting held at the UN Human Rights Council, draft resolution (A/HRC/61/L.4/Rev.1) concerning the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the sale, sexual exploitation, and sexual abuse of children was introduced and adopted without a vote.
Egypt reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and strengthening this mandate, particularly in light of the alarming and evolving forms of sale, sexual exploitation, and abuse of children. Egypt highlighted that these crimes have increasingly developed through the use of digital technologies and transnational criminal network. In this regard, Egypt stressed that only effective international cooperation, combined with a sustained focus on prevention, protection, and accountability, can ensure the protection of children from harm, safeguard their innocence, and contribute to building a future in which every child can grow free from exploitation and fear.
Within this context, Egypt expressed its hope that the core group would have retained explicit references to child prostitution and child pornography as specific forms of child exploitation and abuse, as had been reflected in previous versions of the resolution. Egypt emphasized that these terms are not newly introduced concepts, but rather internationally recognized treaty terminologies derived from the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography, an instrument that enjoys near universal ratification.
Egypt further explained that its position was guided by the importance of ensuring adherence to internationally agreed legal definitions. According to the statement, these terms are clearly defined within the Optional Protocol and are also reflected in numerous national legislations. Their inclusion contributes to enhancing legal clarity, strengthening protection mechanisms, and supporting accountability efforts aimed at combating such crimes.
While Egypt welcomed the addition by the core group of an explicit reference in preambular paragraph two to the Optional Protocol on the sale of children and to child prostitution and child pornography, it nevertheless noted that this reference did not extend to recognizing these acts as specific forms of child exploitation and abuse within the operative framework of the resolution. Egypt maintained that preserving such legal clarity would have further reinforced the overall protection framework established under international law.
Egypt also emphasized that its understanding of the concept of sexual exploitation and abuse is guided by its international obligations under international human rights law, particularly the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution, and child pornography.
In light of these considerations, Egypt announced that it would join the consensus on the resolution, recognizing both the importance of the mandate itself and the necessity of ensuring its continuity.