In addition to the statement, Salvationist (Salvation Army church member) Markus Hofer and a World Evangelical Alliance representative spoke at the morning session of the Human Rights Council at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, today, Friday 12 September 2025, echoing the sentiment of the statement.
The statement emphasises the critical role of churches to prevent child exploitation and support families in keeping children in school. It affirms that every child carries inherent worth and must be protected. It calls on all governments and stakeholders to act with urgency and unity to make this a lived reality for every child.
Download and read the full joint statement below.
The statement is issued in response to a report presented at the session, Worst Forms of Child Labour: Assessing Progress and Persisting Challenges by UN Special Rapporteur Tomoya Obokata.
The report assesses the manifestations of the worst forms of child labour and discusses challenges as well as promising initiatives regarding the elimination of these practices. Read the report here: docs.un.org/en/A/HRC/60/28
The Human Right Council 60th session is being held from 8 September to 8 October 2025.
The Salvation Army has held Special Consultative Status at the United Nations since 1946 and works in almost two thirds of the 193 UN member states.
Visit www.salvationarmy.org/isjc for further information.
