CHILDREN’S RIGHT TO PROTECTION FROM LABOUR AND SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

Abstract

Children's rights have a very important place in human rights law. One of the important steps towards protecting fundamental children's rights is establishing a 'special juvenile justice system.' Special laws for children in modern societies are important in protecting children's rights. In addition to special laws, international agreements in this context play a key role in protecting and developing children's rights. There are different forms of child exploitation, such as sexual exploitation, child labour, physical abuse, psychological abuse, forced marriage, sexual assault, organized begging, etc. Nowadays, we see a significant increase globally when we look at the data related to child abuse and child labour. When it comes to child sexual abuse, no universally accepted definition defines sexual abuse. In this context, it is also important to emphasize the difference between sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. When we consider child labour, child labour negatively affects children's mental, social, physical, and psychological development. Child workers work long hours, often in dangerous conditions, to contribute to the livelihood of their families. Working conditions, also prevent these children from going to school, spending time with their peers, playing games, and spending their free time. There are important international conventions such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (Lanzarote Convention); Optional Protocol of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale and sexual exploitation of children; The Budapest Convention; Convention 182 on The Worst Forms of Child Labour, 1999; Maritime Labour Convention, 2006; Worst Forms of Child Labour Recommendation, 1999 (No. 190) that we should particularly highlight in terms of the prevention of both child sexual exploitations.