"Children Deprived of Liberty, a Global Perspective" Side event 28th Session Human Rights Council on 10 March, Palais des Nations, Geneva

Geneva, Mar 10 2015 - SRSG Santos Pais joined other high UN officials and civil society in an event in the context of the 28th session of the Human Rights Council aiming at sharing information on the situation of children in detention worldwide in light of the Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty (A/RES/69/157).

“The Global Study will bring decisive attention to a much neglected topic and will help to consolidate data and sound evidence to inform policy and law. More importantly, the study can make a real difference in preventing deprivation of liberty of children itself, including through the promotion of alternatives to custodial measures, investment in restorative justice processes and in the safeguard of children’s rights whenever they are involved with the justice system – as victims, witnesses, and also as alleged perpetrators of criminal offences. The Study will also help to document lessons learnt and good practices.,” said SRSG Santos Pais.

Furthermore, SRSG Santos Pais stressed the urgent need to promote effective implementation of existing standards, invest in the prevention of children’s criminalization and promote alternatives to deprivation of liberty, the effective use of restorative approaches and long lasting and effective social reintegration initiatives. It will also help to document lessons learnt and good practices.

The side event was organised by the NGO Panel for the Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty and sponsored by the the Permanent Missions of Norway, Qatar, Switzerland and Urugay. It aimed at sharing information on the situation of children in detention worldwide in light of the Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty (A/RES/69/157).

 

The panelists were: 

Mr. Juan MENDEZ, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment -

Ms. Leila ZERROUGUI, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict -

Ms. Marta Santos PAIS, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Violence against Children -

Ms. Carolina BARBARA, World Organization against Torture - OMCT -

Mr. Benoit VAN KEIRSBILCK, Defence for Children International, DCI.

See more at: http://www.defenceforchildren.org/#sthash.DZOjth0E.dpuf