Subject: Child rights organisations call to abolish limitation periods for child sexual abuse crimes
From: "Julie Fuchs" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Cc: Mari-Liis Sööt - JUSTDIGI <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>, "[email-masked]" <[email-masked]>, "Jeanne-Marie Quashie | Terre des Hommes" <[email-masked]>, "Jeanne-Marie Quashie | Terre des Hommes" <[email-masked]>, "Isaline Wittorski" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:07:53 +0300

Dear Minister Pakosta,

I am writing on behalf of the Steering Group of the ECLAG coalition* to
call for your support regarding the extension of statutes of
limitations/limitation periods as part of the
<https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2024%3A60%3AFIN
> revision of the EU Directive on combatting Child Sexual Abuse.

Together with
<https://ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Statutes-of-Limitations-Open
-Letter.pdf> over 90 child rights organisations worldwide, we urge all EU
Member States to abolish statutes of limitation for crimes of child sexual
abuse and exploitation.

Statutes of limitation constitute arbitrary barriers that deny survivors
their fundamental right to justice. Survivors of child sexual abuse often
need years, even decades, before they are able to disclose the harm they
have suffered in their childhood. Trauma, fear and stigma, along with a
lack of trust in institutions are common reasons why reporting is
prevented or delayed. When survivors are finally ready to come forward,
justice systems must still be able to respond. For further information,
please find attached a paper detailing the rationale for extending
statutes of limitations and a
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXtwYfEmzW4> short campaign video here.

Europe is currently discussing minimum limitation periods standards as
part of the
<https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2024%3A60%3AFIN
> revision of the EU Directive on combatting Child Sexual Abuse. We
welcome the strong position taken by the European Parliament, which
strongly supported the abolition of statutes of limitation. 

As trilogue negotiations on this file continue, we urge you to allow
survivors to seek justice until at least 35 years after reaching the age
of majority for the most serious crimes of child sexual abuse and
exploitation. Several Member States have already expressed support for
this ambitious minimum standard but your support will be crucial to ensure
this standard is adopted.

We count on you to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and that
survivors are not denied access to justice. 

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this critical matter with you
at your earliest convenience and remain available for any question you may
have.

Best regards,

The ECLAG Steering Group

*The <https://www.childsafetyineurope.com/eclag/>  European Child sexual
abuse Legislation Advocacy Group (ECLAG) is a coalition of over 80 child
rights organisations joining forces to protect children from sexual
violence and abuse. The Steering Group of the Coalition is formed by
<https://ecpat.org/ecpat-project-beacon/> ECPAT International,
<https://www.eurochild.org/>  Eurochild,
<https://missingchildreneurope.eu/>  the  <https://www.iwf.org.uk/>
Internet Watch Foundation (IWF),  <https://missingchildreneurope.eu/>
Missing Children Europe,  <https://www.terredeshommes.nl/> Terre des
Hommes Netherlands and <https://www.thorn.org/>  Thorn. 

Julie Fuchs (she/her)

EU Policy and Advocacy Officer

Based in Belgium - CEST

ECPAT International

www.ecpat.org <http://www.ecpat.org/> 

328/1 Phaya Thai Road
Ratchathewi, Bangkok
10400, THAILAND

Tel: +662 215 3388  

 
<https://ecpat.org/story/how-sexual-crimes-against-children-have-changed-o
ver-time/> 

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