UNICEF steers ‘law and justice sector’ to mainstream justice for children in Cambodia

Linking policy and practice to deliver key outcomes for children

SIEM REAP: UNICEF with the Ministry of Justice, Court of Appeal, Legal Aid of Cambodia and Children’s Rights International, gathered for Cambodia’s first ever national justice for children conference. The two-day conference aims to advance ‘justice for children’ by ensuring that all children in Cambodia can access and obtain redress in criminal and civil matters and are better served and protected by justice systems.

Justice for children goes further than juvenile justice – it refers to all children who come into contact with the law, who have a right to access justice for example as witnesses, victims and alleged offenders. It also embodies informal justice systems which have an obligation to protect children and empower them to seek justice.

The main objectives of the conference include, promoting the child friendly system of justice for all children in contact with the law; strengthening the law and justice sector to take measures to reduce all forms of violence against children; and ensuring that detention is a measure of last resort, whilst ensuring full respect for children’s legal safeguards and due process, at all stages of the justice process.

“Today’s conference marks a monumental step forward in strengthening cooperation and partnership between and among the various institutions that address issues affecting children in the justice system,” said Sunah Kim, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Cambodia. “Violence against children and the prolonged detention of children is never justifiable. We have an obligation to work together to protect children from all forms of violence and guarantee respect for children’s due processes as a matter of priority and urgency.”

The conference organised by the Ministry of Justice and Children’s Rights International – a non-governmental organisation based in Australia – with support from UNICEF, was facilitated by a delegation of distinguished justice experts from Australia and attended by over 200 participants. Conference participants included, government ministry representatives (Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation), judges, prosecutors, police and prison officials, social affairs officers, representatives from the Court of Appeal, Legal Aid of Cambodia and civil society, convened with the goal of enhancing protection for children who come into contact with formal and informal justice systems.

“As a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and in accordance with the constitution and national laws, the Government of Cambodia has an obligation to protect children from violence,” said Minister of Justice, Ang Vong Vathana at the event. “It is also crucial for children to access justice and we should consider dedicated lawyers for children who come into contact with the justice system.”

The conference highlighted good practices in Australia on the child friendly administration of justice, as well as how these practices can be applied in the Cambodian context to enhance children’s access to justice, to improve the enforcement of existing laws, and to deliver effective services to children. Discussions were held on specialised topics including, domestic violence, cyber-crime, child friendly interviewing and assessments, the treatment of children in custody, diversion and community policing to keep children safe from harm.

UNICEF is contributing towards the mobilisation of law and justice ‘sector-wide’ convergence around key results for children that will be systematically monitored at national and provincial levels through Police Court Prison (PCP) mechanisms. Key outcomes from the conference include commitments by conference participants to promote alternatives to detention of children, for example, release of a child to a parent, guardian, social service agency, private organisation, specialised hospital or institution, and to support child friendly procedures for children who come into contact with the law. (UNICEF Press release on 16 November 2012)