Implicit in these expressions of concern, is the recognition by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, that children can be 'harmfully affected' by experiencing violence against sentient animals, with an obligation on States Parties to ensure compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by protecting children from all forms of violence, including against animals.

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UN Convention on the Rights of the Child General Comment 13 ‘The Right of the Child to Freedom from all forms of Violence’ provides this opportunity.

 

A UN General Comment gives global guidance & clarification of articles in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 

https://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/crc/docs/CRC.C.GC.13_en.pdf 

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 Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states the following:

“1. States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child. 

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UN General Comment 13 states :

Legal analysis of article 19, paragraph 1 

1. “… all forms of ...” No exceptions. The Committee has consistently maintained the position that all forms of violence against children, however light, are unacceptable. “All forms of physical or mental violence” does not leave room for any level of legalized violence against children. Frequency, severity of harm and intent to harm are not prerequisites for the definitions of violence. States parties may refer to such factors in intervention strategies in order to allow proportional responses in the best interests of the child, but definitions must in no way erode the child’s absolute right to human dignity and physical and psychological integrity by describing some forms of violence as legally and/or socially acceptable. 

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3. “shall take …” 37. “Shall take” is a term which leaves no leeway for the discretion of States parties. Accordingly, States parties are under strict obligation to undertake “all appropriate measures” to fully implement this right for all children 

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