Stéphane Séjourné’s services wanted to reassure the United Nations about its actions in favor of the protection of children and women. The fight against sexual violence and incest constitutes “a priority of the French government”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured Saturday, after UN experts called on France to “act urgently” to protect children and their mothers.
“France has taken note” of this call, indicates the Quai d’Orsay in a statement. “The President of the Republic wanted the creation in 2021 of the Independent Commission on Incest and Sexual Violence Against Children. The new plan to combat violence against children 2023-2027 reflects the commitment of the French government,” adds the text.
Fears also coming from French associations
Independent UN experts called on France on Friday to protect children against incest and support their mothers, a warning shot welcomed by French associations who fear seeing the fight against incest relegated to the back burner. plan.
“Despite credible allegations of sexual abuse and incestuous violence against children by their father, France has paid little attention to the precautionary principles and the best interests of the child,” accused these experts, mandated by the UN Human Rights Council but not speaking on behalf of the organization itself.
The experts relied on three cases of mothers prosecuted for having removed the children from their respective fathers, accused of sexual or physical and psychological violence. “In terms of the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary, the government cannot contest the authority of res judicata by independent magistrates,” responds the Quai d’Orsay.