Advocacy for a more juvenile-oriented justice system in criminal cases by the German Children's Aid and the German Institute for Human Rights.
In a joint effort, the German Children's Aid Association and the German Institute for Human Rights have called for improvements in child-appropriate justice in criminal proceedings. The need for change is highlighted by structural conditions, such as insufficient financial resources for personnel and equipment, and a lack of psychosocial support for minor victims.
Anne Lütkes, Vice-President of the German Children's Aid Association, and Beate Rudolf, Director of the German Institute for Human Rights, have both made statements emphasising the importance of child-appropriate justice. They argue that strengthening children and young people's rights, improving the quality of witness statements, and building trust in the rule of law are all dependent on it.
One proposed solution is the appointment of a psychosocial process companion for minor victims. This individual would provide support throughout the criminal proceedings, from the filing of the charge to the final judgment. The psychosocial process companion is intended to help mitigate the impact of criminal proceedings on minor victims, ensuring a more child-friendly court process.
The project 'Children's rights-based criteria for criminal proceedings - Children as victim-witnesses' is an ongoing scientific investigation of the guidelines of the Council of Europe for child-appropriate justice and the practical guide based on them by the National Council against sexual violence against children and young people in Germany. The research aims to create child-appropriate, discrimination-sensitive information materials.
The federal government is urged to adapt the Code of Criminal Procedure to facilitate the swift and unbureaucratic appointment of a psychosocial process companion for minor victims. Moreover, minimum standards for child-appropriate facilities with the possibility of judicial video testimony are being advocated for.
While some progress has been made, the overall implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in criminal proceedings in Germany is far from systematic and comprehensive. The federal states in Germany are at different stages in the implementation of child-appropriate justice, with no comprehensive public data specifying which states are at different stages of implementing child-friendly court procedures or how far they are from systematically and comprehensively implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in judicial processes.
However, nationwide projects exist to improve children's rights awareness and psychosocial support in contexts like migrant accommodations, indicating some progress but also considerable distance to full, systematic implementation in all states. The coordination of these efforts with the states is being emphasized.
Both organisations have expressed the need for improvement in child-appropriate justice in criminal proceedings, and they continue to advocate for the implementation of measures to ensure a more child-friendly and supportive court process for minor victims.
Read also:
- Inherent Skills Know No Bounds, Yet Access to Employment Remains Unequal: Suggestions for a More Equitable Job Market of the Future
- "Understanding Fodder: Explore 6 Variations to Test"
- Impact of a Less Democratic U.S. on Europe's Political Landscape
- Leading Animation Studio in Germany: Comprehensive Pick Guide
