The Ministry of Justice is preparing legislative changes to protect children's rights according to European standards
Introducing child-friendly justice is one of the directions of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. This was stated by the Acting Minister of Justice of Ukraine, Deputy Minister of Justice for European Integration Lyudmyla Suhak during a meeting to discuss the coordination of technical assistance on defining and implementing key priorities for the development of child-friendly justice, which took place in Kyiv.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss issues of coordinating technical assistance regarding the implementation of key priorities for the development of the child-friendly justice system between state institutions and development partners. In particular, participants considered the implementation of the National Strategy for the Protection of Children's Rights in the Field of Justice until 2028 and the operational plan of measures for its execution.
According to Suhak, issues of protecting children's rights and developing child-friendly justice are provided for in the Roadmap on the Rule of Law, which is coordinated by the Ministry of Justice.
Also, as Lyudmyla Suhak reported, the ministry is finalizing the preparation of a comprehensive draft law on child-friendly justice and is working on updating the National Human Rights Strategy, which will include a separate section on the protection of children's rights.
In addition, the department cooperates with international partners in several areas regarding the protection of children's rights. This concerns the development of the "Barnahus" centers system, involving psychologists in criminal proceedings where children are witnesses or victims, as well as the development of restorative justice for minors.
In particular, with the support of UNICEF, 15 "Barnahus" centers have been opened in Ukraine, 13 of which began operating after the start of the full-scale invasion. A registry of 587 psychologists involved in criminal proceedings with children has also been created. Through the free legal aid system, psychologists have already participated in 27,842 investigative and procedural actions involving children.
Regarding the restorative program for minors suspected of committing criminal offenses, partially supported by the Council of Europe, according to the Ministry of Justice, since the start of the project, the free legal aid system has received 854 consents to participate in the program from minors and victims. As a result of mediation, the parties concluded 623 agreements.
During the meeting, Lyudmyla Suhak also emphasized the need for further support of the Ministry of Justice's initiatives aimed at harmonizing national legislation with European standards on protecting the rights and interests of children involved in the justice system.
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