Brasília – The United Nations Committee on Children's Rights says that Brazil has made progress in protecting the rights of children and adolescents with appropriate legislation.

The UN has just received a copy of a report on the situation of young people in Brazil which was presented by minister Nilmário Miranda, head of the Special Secretariat of Human Rights. The report explains how Brazil continues to deal with the problems of quality education, sexual exploitation and youth crime.

In 1990 Brazil signed the International Convention on Children's Rights. Since then the country was supposed to present reports every five years. However, it is only now, after 14 years, that the first report was submitted to the UN committee.

The report does not shy away from the country's problems in this area. It relates the tragedy of early death for young boys and pregnancy for young girls. The document states that "although progress has been made, a significant number of young people continue to live in poverty in Brazil."

Minister Miranda explains that the problem cannot be resolved magically with laws. "Laws are not going to change reality. We need long-term public policies that involve all levels of government, the business community and families. This is something everyone has to want and be willing to work for," said the minister.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Christiane Peres
Translator: Allen Bennett
09/17/2004