Commissioner for children's rights warns against child exploitation in election campaigns

Elena Perikleous, the Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of the Child, issued a public statement addressing the use of children in political campaign videos shared on social media. She highlighted that such practices often amount to the manipulation of minors to serve adult interests. The Commissioner emphasized that there is a clear distinction between the genuine, meaningful participation of children in public life and their instrumentalization for political goals. While she supports the active involvement of children in society as responsible citizens, she warned that using them in partisan promotional material is unacceptable. She noted that this is not the first time the office has had to intervene on this issue. Perikleous underscored that the state must ensure the respect for the child's personality and avoid any form of undue guidance in political settings. Her intervention serves as a reminder to party leaders and candidates to respect ethical standards during election periods.