In the petition, members of the movement of Catholic activists, who advocate for the promotion of family values warn, “If this treaty is signed, it could pave the way for the normalization of the most horrific forms of child exploitation and even elements of paedophilia. And the UN isn’t just allowing this – they’re endorsing it.”
By decriminalizing consensual child pornography, the Catholic activists lament, the UN is “opening the floodgates for paedophiles and predators. And make no mistake – if we let this happen, it’s only a matter of time before they push for even more: lowering the age of consent, defending the rights of those who prey on our children.”
“This is a nightmare in the making, and we cannot afford to wake up too late. We are standing at the edge of a cliff, and if we don’t act now, the protections that keep our children safe will be eroded,” they say.
“What will be left?” the Catholic activists pose and continue in response, “A world where predators are protected by the law, and our ability to safeguard our children is stripped away.”
“We must rise up and make our voices heard. The time to protect our children from this madness is now – before it’s too late,” they appeal.
According to Article 14 of the treaty, countries may choose to decriminalize the production, distribution, and possession of content depicting children that are sexually exposed, so long as the material does not represent an “existing person” or does not visually depict actual “child sexual abuse or child sexual exploitation.”
In a message addressed to African Presidents, CitizenGo Africa members says, “This proposal is not only deeply unethical but also poses a direct threat to the safety and well-being of the most vulnerable members of our society – our children.”
“It is deeply troubling that the UN, which should prioritize the protection of all citizens, especially children, is considering provisions that could improve the social perception of paedophiles and protect those who possess and consume such vile material” they add.
The Catholic activists call on African leaders to ensure that these “dangerous individuals are far away from our children and ensure that their abhorrent behaviour is not legitimized through international treaties.”
They urge Africa’s political leaders to take a “stand against this treaty when it comes before the United Nations General Assembly this month.”
