Human Rights Law Centre

FRA releases report on child-friendly justice

On 5 May the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) released a report 'Child-friendly justice – Perspectives and experiences of professionals on children’s participation in civil and criminal judicial proceedings in 10 EU Member States'.

The report presents the first findings of extensive fieldwork research across selected EU Member States regarding the child-friendliness of civil and criminal justice proceedings for young witnesses. As part of the Children and Justice project, social and legal professionals who have direct contact with children were asked about their experiences, perceptions and views of the child-friendliness of the justice process for child witnesses, victims or parties. As UK FRANET contractor, between 2012-2013 HRLC conducted qualitative research with approximately 80 legal and social professionals across the United Kingdom to determine their views of the participation of children in the justice proceedings. The research was led by Dr Debbie Cooper.

The FRA report presents the comparative findings for all Member States covered by this phase of the project. HRLC’s report on Child Participation in Justice in the United Kingdom was also published on 5 May.

The FRA report was launched on 5 May during two live radio debates with Members of the European Parliament, the recordings are available from Citizens' Corner.

As part of the dissemination effort, FRA has also produced a short animated clip that presents the research findings in a child-friendly manner.

Each year thousands of children are involved in judicial proceedings across the EU. FRA investigated whether children’s rights are duly respected in these proceedings. The findings of the report show that there still is a long way to go to make justice more child-friendly. All EU Member States are committed to ensuring the child’s best interests in any action that affects them but this commitment is not always fulfilled in practice.

In its report, FRA suggests how the EU and its Member States could act to cater to children's needs. For example, it promotes the Council of Europe’s 2010 Guidelines on child-friendly justice, which aim to help Member States improve the protection of children in their judicial systems and enhance their meaningful participation.

 

Posted on Wednesday 6th May 2015

Human Rights Law Centre

School of Law
University of Nottingham
University Park
Nottingham, NG7 2RD

+44 (0)115 846 8506
hrlc@nottingham.ac.uk