Newsroom
Workshop examines rights of young offenders
PRISTINA 29 August 2000
PRISTINA, 29 August 2000 - A two-day workshop on protecting the rights of young offenders is being held 29-30 August in Pristina, Kosovo. The workshop is hosted by the OSCE-operated Kosovo Judicial Institute and UNICEF.
The goal of the workshop is to strengthen the judicial system's capacity to deal with cases of
juveniles who come into conflict with the law.
Those taking part in the roundtable discussions include judges and prosecutors, social workers, defence counsels, as well as representatives of from the Kosovo Judicial Institute, OSCE, UNICEF, KFOR, UNMiK Police, the Joint Advisory Commission and the Department of Judicial Affairs.
During the workshop, the participants will look at case studies and hold discussions on topics such as police arrest and custody, interrogation issues, conditions of confinement, the juvenile's access to his or her family and the issue of confidentiality. Emphasising the importance of
education and separation from adult offenders, they will also discuss how young criminal offenders can be successfully reintegrated into society.
OSCE and UNICEF have been working together to draft a Juvenile Justice Code which has been submitted to the Joint Advisory Committee on Legislative Matters for consideration.
The principle of having a separate code for dealing with juvenile offenders has been accepted and this in itself is a great achievement.
If approved, the Juvenile Justice Code will form a unique body of law in Kosovo and in the Balkans. It can help ensure that young criminal offenders are treated with dignity and are given an opportunity for rehabilitation and a new chance in life.
The Kosovo Judicial Institute, established by OSCE to provide legal education and training for judges and prosecutors, has an important role to play in strengthening the independence of the judiciary and rule of law in Kosovo. This week's workshop has been funded by the United Nations children's agency, UNICEF, which continues to work towards the goal of ensuring compliance with international standards in the law regarding juveniles.
The OSCE, which holds the human rights mandate within UNMiK, is also mandated to support the development of the judicial and legal systems in Kosovo.
For further information, contact: Press Office, OSCE Headquarters, Pristina: tel: (+381-38) 500-162 ext. 260 / mobile: (+389-70) 250-434; email: press@omik.org , website: //www.osce.org/kosovo/
UNICEF Press Office, Pristina, Tel: (+381-38) 549 230/1 or email: sbonefeld@unicef.org
The goal of the workshop is to strengthen the judicial system's capacity to deal with cases of
juveniles who come into conflict with the law.
Those taking part in the roundtable discussions include judges and prosecutors, social workers, defence counsels, as well as representatives of from the Kosovo Judicial Institute, OSCE, UNICEF, KFOR, UNMiK Police, the Joint Advisory Commission and the Department of Judicial Affairs.
During the workshop, the participants will look at case studies and hold discussions on topics such as police arrest and custody, interrogation issues, conditions of confinement, the juvenile's access to his or her family and the issue of confidentiality. Emphasising the importance of
education and separation from adult offenders, they will also discuss how young criminal offenders can be successfully reintegrated into society.
OSCE and UNICEF have been working together to draft a Juvenile Justice Code which has been submitted to the Joint Advisory Committee on Legislative Matters for consideration.
The principle of having a separate code for dealing with juvenile offenders has been accepted and this in itself is a great achievement.
If approved, the Juvenile Justice Code will form a unique body of law in Kosovo and in the Balkans. It can help ensure that young criminal offenders are treated with dignity and are given an opportunity for rehabilitation and a new chance in life.
The Kosovo Judicial Institute, established by OSCE to provide legal education and training for judges and prosecutors, has an important role to play in strengthening the independence of the judiciary and rule of law in Kosovo. This week's workshop has been funded by the United Nations children's agency, UNICEF, which continues to work towards the goal of ensuring compliance with international standards in the law regarding juveniles.
The OSCE, which holds the human rights mandate within UNMiK, is also mandated to support the development of the judicial and legal systems in Kosovo.
For further information, contact: Press Office, OSCE Headquarters, Pristina: tel: (+381-38) 500-162 ext. 260 / mobile: (+389-70) 250-434; email: press@omik.org , website: //www.osce.org/kosovo/
UNICEF Press Office, Pristina, Tel: (+381-38) 549 230/1 or email: sbonefeld@unicef.org