1. In reply to the Honourable Parliamentarian’s
Written Question, the Committee of Ministers observes that according
to information received from the Dutch authorities, the Netherlands
considers that it has properly investigated the case in question.
The case is currently pending before the Hague Court of Appeal.
The Dutch Government underlines that combating sexual exploitation
of children is a priority and that it has ratified and is implementing
the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against
Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (“Lanzarote Convention”, CETS
No. 201).
2. The Committee of Ministers wishes to inform the Honourable
Parliamentarian that it is not part of the monitoring procedure
provided for by the Lanzarote Convention. This is the mandate of
the Committee of the Parties (“Lanzarote Committee”), composed of
representatives of the Parties to the Convention, including representatives
of the Parties that may accede to the Convention under Articles
45 and 46 (Chapter X of the Convention), and in which the Parliamentary
Assembly has a representative. Thus, the Committee of Ministers as
such is not in a position to reply to questions concerning the effective
implementation of the Convention.
3. Finally, the Committee of Ministers reiterates its strong
support for the Lanzarote Convention as a major instrument to combat
sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children. The Committee
of Ministers encourages all member States that have not yet done
so to ratify the Convention as soon as possible.
