In Memoriam: David Sassoli

Eurochild is saddened by the passing of David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament, a passionate European and children’s right champion.

As Sassoli said during the 30 years celebration of the Convention on the Rights of the Child:

“After decades of struggle and patience, women and men from different backgrounds have finally succeeded in changing mentalities, overcoming traditions and introducing new rules to ensure that children are never again considered the property of parents or any other authority, but human beings with their own rights, to be respected and protected.[…] Special efforts must be made to end the abuse and exploitation of children as well as violence against them, to ensure the eradication of poverty, to improve education and access to good nutrition and health services. […] We adults have, the moral, legal and political obligation to listen to children’s concerns and to act.”

Europe has lost a great leader devoted to social rights.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends.