Geneva — The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, addressed the Human Rights Council at its 20th session, presenting findings on violence against children within the juvenile justice system.
15/06/2012
Geneva — The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, addressed the Human Rights Council at its 20th session, presenting findings on violence against children within the juvenile justice system.
The SRSG drew attention to the joint report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the SRSG on Violence against Children on the prevention of and responses to violence against children within the juvenile justice system (A/HRC/21/25).
"Children in conflict with the law are among the most vulnerable to violence. They are often detained in conditions that expose them to abuse, exploitation, and further trauma," said SRSG Santos Pais. "States must ensure that detention is used only as a last resort and for the shortest appropriate period, and that children in detention are protected from all forms of violence."
The SRSG called on Member States to adopt child-sensitive approaches throughout the justice system, invest in diversion programmes, and ensure access to legal aid and rehabilitative services for children in conflict with the law.