The youth consultation consisted of a questionnaire and a series of group discussions. Nearly 3,800 responses to the questionnaire were received from children in school, care and prison in 25 countries. The questionnaires reflect the experiences and opinions of children who have had direct contact with the justice system in different contexts and those who have not. We recognize that children – no matter how they come into contact with the law – are first and foremost children. Their rights, including their right to protection, must be respected before, during and after their conflict with the law. We help countries build a comprehensive national child protection system that can prevent and respond to all forms of neglect, violence, abuse, exploitation and harmful practices. The Commissioner carries out country visits and engages in dialogue with national authorities in order to raise awareness of human rights violations and promote better protection of human rights. He has drawn attention to the issue of juvenile justice on several occasions and visited prisons to promote reforms. The Council of Europe has developed various standards and guidelines in the field of child-friendly justice. These standards aim to improve the judicial system and adapt it to the specific needs of children.
This includes the creation of a judicial system that ensures respect for and effective implementation of all children`s rights. The most comprehensive standards for child-friendly justice are contained in the Guidelines of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on child-friendly justice. More than 45,000 children released during the COVID-19 pandemic; Proof that child-friendly justice solutions are possible – UNICEF We work with national governments to train police, judges, prosecutors and lawyers on child-friendly and gender-sensitive approaches to justice. In addition, we assess and develop child-friendly and gender-sensitive procedures in courts and police systems. Justice helps us discover what is right, what is right and what is wrong. When justice works, everyone feels treated fairly. Rules and laws help people determine what is “fair” or equitable. To this end, CDCJ has developed a document that illustrates the general orientations of its activities to promote the guidelines. Regional activities, training of members of the judiciary and sensitization of children and civil society are integral to the proposed measures.
CDCJ will also carry out data collection and research to expand studies conducted by the European Commission in the 28 EU Member States to include children`s participation in judicial proceedings in other Council of Europe member states (non-EU countries). The results of these studies will provide guidance to Member States on gaps in legislation and practice that need to be addressed. Together with partners, governments, local communities and children themselves, UNICEF is committed to ensuring that every child has access to a child-friendly, gender-sensitive justice system that is well equipped to guarantee their rights. We focus on: your school, your home and your community need you this way! So when it comes to justice, don`t look around, look in the mirror! CEPEJ, Report “European judicial systems – 2014 Edition (2012 data): efficiency and quality of justice” (2014) The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has produced a series of videos in several languages explaining some of the key elements surrounding children and justice. In November 2010, the Council of Europe adopted the Guidelines on child-friendly justice to improve children`s access to and treatment of justice. These guidelines apply to all circumstances where, for any reason and in any capacity, children are likely to come into conflict with the criminal, civil or administrative justice system. Children come into contact with the judiciary in many ways. This may be for family matters such as divorce or adoption, in administrative jurisdiction for nationality or immigration matters, or in criminal justice as a victim, witness or perpetrator of a crime.
When children are confronted with the justice system, they are thrown into a daunting world of adults they cannot understand. It is therefore necessary to adapt the judiciary to their needs. International Justice for Children (2008), Council of Europe publication CDCJ regularly reviews recent judgments of the European Court of Human Rights citing guidelines for child-friendly justice. Around the world, millions of children interact with justice systems every year. The European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ) promotes and supports the implementation of the Guidelines on child-friendly justice through legislative advice, training and awareness-raising activities on the integration of a child-friendly perspective in the administration of justice. CDCJ takes a regional approach to promote the guidelines and organises conferences for Member States with similar justice systems to enable them to share best practices in the field of child-friendly justice. The PC-CP monitors the development of national policies and practices on the execution of criminal sanctions and measures in Council of Europe member states. The PC-CP has developed several recommendations on juvenile justice, including European rules for juvenile offenders subject to sanctions or measures. The PC-CP also prepared a report on violence in juvenile delinquent institutions, which showed that problems such as abuse of power and excessive use of force by staff in juvenile institutions are still widespread in Member States. Just as virtual courts can create a more child-friendly justice system, justice systems are not necessarily equipped to meet children`s rights and needs. Justice professionals – police, prosecutors, lawyers and judges – often lack the specialized training needed to support child survivors, victims, witnesses or alleged offenders.
Many may not understand the gender vulnerabilities children face when coming into contact with justice systems. And in some places, even social workers trained as the first point of contact for children in need are not recognized or have sufficient resources to help children seek protection and justice safely. Indeed, without justice, the world could simply collapse! The European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ) is responsible for supporting the implementation of the Guidelines on child-friendly justice. The following standards and recommendations focus on child-friendly justice: Parliamentary Assembly report: Child-friendly juvenile justice: from rhetoric to reality (2014) But justice systems don`t always deliver on the promise of fairness. Some are completely out of reach of children who may not be aware of their rights, no way to contact a lawyer or no financial resources for legal fees. This is particularly true for vulnerable children, including those belonging to minority groups; children with disabilities; Migrant children; and children in prisons, detention centres and other places that deprive them of their liberty. The CEPEJ is composed of experts from the 47 member states of the Council of Europe. The Commissions` objective is to promote the rule of law and the protection of fundamental rights in Europe. It seeks to improve the functioning and efficiency of judicial systems. To this end, it is responsible for data collection and monitoring.
A particular part of the follow-up process focuses on the treatment of juveniles in the justice system. The results are published semi-annually in an evaluation report. The latest report showed that many Member States are indeed reviewing their legal systems to make them more child-friendly. Where appropriate, we support efforts such as restorative justice approaches that encourage victims and perpetrators to actively participate in resolving issues arising from a crime. Restorative justice approaches include measures such as mediation and conferences. Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, at the conference marking the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Stockholm, Sweden, 16 May 2014). Conference: CommDH/Speech(2014)7: Keynote Address on Child-Friendly Justice CDCJ is an intergovernmental body that promotes standard-setting in the field of public and private law. The Committee`s work on standard-setting in the area of children`s rights culminated in the adoption of the Guidelines on child-friendly justice, adopted in 2010.