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Home > NGO
Group for the CRC > Thematic
Subgroups > Juvenile
Justice
Subgroup
on Juvenile Justice
Related Links | History | Work Plan
Since
1995 the subgroup on Juvenile Justice has work towards bringing greater
attention and action on critical issues, such as the age of criminal responsibility,
stronger UN resolutions in favour of juvenile justice and improved protection
systems for children. The subgroup remains to platform for address these
and other issues on juvenile justice.
History
The administration
of Juvenile Justice has been an ongoing concern for UN human rights organisations,
especially the subgroup on Juvenile Justice. Established in the early
1990s and reactivated in 1995, the subgroup was actively involved in the
Committee's General Day of Discussion on Juvenile Justice. The subgroup
introduced a briefing note on the preparatory work and preparing a joint
statement for the press and media representatives at the UN. A questionnaire
was developed to evaluate the theme day. It also gave information on the
proposed network on juvenile justice and the initiative for a UN technical
assistance program on juvenile justice.
A meeting
was held in 1996 at the initiative of the the University of Ghent Centre
for Children Rights. A Programme of Action on technical assistance in
the field of Juvenile Justice was prepared in conjunction with the UN
Division on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Vienna in order to
seek involvement of NGOs in the project. The subgroup was actively involved
in this process.
In October
1999, there was consensus on the need to raise public awareness and to
mobilise governments on juvenile justice issues, which remained very low
on the political agenda. The subgroup agreed to concentrate on the promotion
and preparation of a major international event requiring the support of
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UNICEF and governments.
The then High Commissioner, Ms. Mary Robinson, made an official announcement
proposing the organisation of an International Conference on Juvenile
Justice in 2002 at the 10th Anniversary of the Human Rights Commission.
The subgroup
also actively monitors the question of Juvenile Justice in the UN Human
Rights Commission.
2005 Work Plan
1. Name : Subgroup on Juvenile Justice
2. Mission statement : The objectives of the Sub-group on Juvenile Justice are: to promote the exchange of information, to bring recommendations to the attention of the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child to be used by the relevant United Nations bodies and; to propose specific actions and co-ordinate certain interventions in the area of juvenile justice.
3. Convenor : Valérie Quéré, Defence for Children International (DCI) International Secretariat, Geneva
4. Members and Observers
As of October 2004, the Sub group on Juvenile Justice included 12 members and 9 observers.
Members :
Boeton Bernard, Terre des Hommes – Lausanne
Brett Rachel, Quakers UN Office
Dunant André, IAYF JM
Gow Melanie, World Vision
Martin Florence, Save the Children UK
Mattsson Lisbeth, Social Workers
McClellan Monique, BICE
Morel Eleonor, PRI
Murdoch Mariane, Consultant
Sackstein Helene, International Alliance of Women
Trochu, Cécile, OMCT
Turner Catherine, Anti-Slavery
Observers :
Abramson Bruce, Juvenile Justice Consultant
Allen Denise, NGO Group for the CRC
Anthonioz Bernard, Child Police Brigade
Cantwell Nigel, Child Protection Consultant
David Paulo, OHCHR
Herrera Martha, Juvenile Justice Consultant
Mac Bean Nicola, The Rights Practice
Miller Lesley, UNICEF
Riva Paola, Institut Internationaldes Droits de l'Enfant
5. Number of meetings : 3 to 4 per year
6. Background information :
The Subgroup has had 4 meetings during 2004 as well as regular exchanges of information by e-mail in order to elaborate around possible activities to be undertaken.
The proposed work plan is an outline of proposed activities for 2005. The proposed activities are linked to the NGO Group goals outlined in the Strategic Plan for 2004 – 2006, approved by the General Assembly in 2003. Each Subgroup activity is also linked to specific activities worked out by the NGO Group in an operational plan to implement the Strategic Plan.
7. Work-plan (including objectives, strategies and activities)
NGO Group Goal 1 - To become a strong collective global voice for children's rights
NGO Group Activity: Develop and implement a communication strategy
- Continue to send news to the CRIN website.
NGO Group Activity: Coordinate and/or actively participate in major international events
- Continue contributing to the omnibus resolution on the Rights of the Child at the UN Commission on Human Rights.
- Speak at conferences/seminars and organise panel discussions stressing the importance of implementing international juvenile justice standards.
- Develop a list of upcoming conferences relating to juvenile justice.
- Monitor the Commission on Human Rights and assist the Mission of Austria in preparing the resolution on the administration of juvenile justice.
NGO Group Activity: Build up partnerships outside the NGO Group's Geneva base
- Meet NGO coalitions and national NGOs that present reports to the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
NGO Group Goal 2 - To enhance effective NGO engagement with the human rights system for the benefit of children
NGO Group Activity: Influence the working methods and processes of the CRC
Committee
- Individual Sub group members drafting guidelines for reporting on juvenile justice
NGO Group Activity: Influence the decisions and recommendations from the CRC Committee
- Provide input to the CRC Committee on juvenile justice issues, especially with relation to the general comment.
- Provide information about selected countries to the CRC Committee, monitor State reports and make recommendations concerning juvenile justice.
NGO GroupGoal 3 - To strengthen the NGO Group as an organisation
NGO Group Activity: Develop and implement strategies to enhance partnerships with complementary thematic networks and groupings within the NGO Group
- Organise meetings with other Sub groups to share each one’s specificities.
8. Contributions (human and financial resources):
In kind-contribution:
Time devoted to Sub Group work by the convenor is roughly estimated at 20 working days per year.
Active participation to the Sub Group meetings and provision of inputs have greatly varied from the members but can roughly and globally be estimated to 5/6 working days per year.
Total direct costs involved by the Sub-Group activities and covered by DCI: 5000 CHF
Past Work Plans and Reports:
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