A/HRC/21/31
diversion measures as well as alternatives to detention that built on reconciliation,
restoration and reintegration of juveniles was repeatedly mentioned. In some countries,
alternative measures, such as warnings, parental supervision and reduction of leisure time,
were applied to juvenile offenders. Some speakers mentioned the role of the media in
avoiding or developing discriminatory stereotypes against children who had committed
crimes, and stressed the importance of awareness-raising campaigns. Speakers also referred
to the efforts being made in their countries in favour of reintegration rather than punitive
strategies. Some States indicated the importance of looking at root causes, as sometimes
offences committed by a child were the result of a whole set of problems, including
extreme poverty. One State expressed concern at the increase in children involved in gang
violence.
43.
The Friends World Committee for Consultation-Quakers welcomed the increasing
attention given to the rights and needs of children of incarcerated parents and mentioned the
implications of that situation for children’s well-being, asking what additional guidance
was needed in relation to children of incarcerated parents. Defence for Children
International said that despite the need to end the detention of child migrants, many
children remained in immigration detention centres in unacceptable circumstances,
resulting in mental and physical health concerns, social isolation and educational
disadvantage. The International Labour Organization called on States to ratify ILO
Convention No. 182 (1999) concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the
Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour and drew attention to the World Day
against Child Labour 2012 (12 June) on human rights and social justice in connection with
child labour.
44.
The afternoon session was rich in questions posed to the panellists, both by States
and NGOs. Speakers asked panellists to highlight examples of best practices in the area of
the administration of justice for children; examples of policies that were suitable to prevent
and eliminate all forms of violence against children deprived of liberty; and examples
where restorative justice and other non-formal responses from the justice system had a
beneficial impact on the numbers of youth under 18 in custody. Other questions included
how to overcome the problem of discriminatory stereotypes; what was the best way for
children to participate in the judicial procedure in order to guarantee their best interests; and
how to tackle the root causes of the behaviours and/or events that bring children in conflict
with the law.
45.
Other questions asked were: whether the number of children in conflict with the law
could be reduced by promoting education and awareness-raising campaigns; whether good
practices in awareness-raising and training to prevent violence and abuse of children could
be shared; how international mechanisms could support effectively efforts made by States
in the area of children and the administration of justice; how to strike a balance between the
lack of resources in the administration of justice and the importance of providing childfriendly correctional facilities; how the right to education could be guaranteed for child
detainees; what additional guidance was needed for children of incarcerated parents; what
health effects, particularly as regards mental health, children experienced when a parent
was in prison; and what support should be given to children leaving prisons after having
lived with incarcerated parents and to children of incarcerated parents outside.
C.
Concluding remarks
46.
Mr. Chawla emphasized that one of the main problems was the lack of data
concerning children in conflict with the law. He referred to the current tendency to
adopt punitive approaches when dealing with child delinquency and the need to
strengthen crime prevention policies, as investing in prevention was far more cost-
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