A/HRC/29/26 I. Introduction 1. The present report is the last submitted for the consideration of the Human Rights Council, in accordance with its resolution 26/7, by the current Special Rapporteur, Gabriela Knaul. 2. The Special Rapporteur decided to focus her report on the fundamental role that must be played by judges, prosecutors and lawyers in protecting children’s rights. Despite the quasi-universal ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, children still count among the most vulnerable to human rights violations and other types of abuse. For this reason, the importance of child-sensitive justice—justice that respects, protects and fulfils the rights of children—cannot be overemphasized. An administration of justice that fails children ultimately also fails society. The Special Rapporteur is convinced that investing in child-sensitive justice is indispensable to strengthening the rule of law and the enjoyment of human rights by all, as well as to building flourishing democratic societies. 3. After summarizing, in section II of the report, the activities she carried out in 2014 and 2015, including country visits undertaken, communications sent and events attended, she introduces the international legal framework and fundamental principles that form the basis of her analysis of the requirements for a child-sensitive administration of justice (section III, part A). In section III, part B, she discusses access to justice and legal aid from the perspective of children. In part C, she addresses the role of judges, prosecutors and lawyers in relation to the basic requirements necessary to respect, protect and fulfil children’s rights at the different stages of judicial proceedings, including sentencing. In part D, she touches on the importance of providing alternatives to these judicial proceedings. Before concluding and presenting her recommendations in sections IV and V, she draws attention to the cross-cutting need for quality and specialized education, training and capacity-building for judges, prosecutors and lawyers. 4. Judges, prosecutors and lawyers have an essential part to play in upholding children’s human rights and applying international human rights norms, standards and principles—in particular those specific to children—at the domestic level and in compliance with the State’s international human rights obligations. In accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and for the purpose of this report, the terms “child” or “children” refer to every human being, male and female, under the age of 18 years. Further, the terms “child-friendly” and “child-sensitive” are used interchangeably and understood as “that takes into account children’s specific needs, views and rights”. II. Activities in 2014 and 2015 A. Country visits and communications with member States 5. The Special Rapporteur carried out official visits to Qatar, from 19 to 26 January 2014 (A/HRC/29/26/Add.1), the United Arab Emirates, from 28 January to 5 February 2014 (A/HRC/29/26/Add.2), Tunisia, from 27 November to 5 December 2014 (A/HRC/29/26/Add.3) and Portugal, from 27 January to 3 February 2015 (A/HRC/29/26/Add.4), at the invitation of the respective Governments. 6. The Special Rapporteur wishes to thank the Governments of France, Germany, Greece, Iraq, Kenya, Morocco, Nepal, Spain and the United States of America for inviting her to conduct official visits in their respective countries. She regrets that she was unable to undertake the visits before the end of her mandate and encourages these Governments to continue engaging with her successor. 3