PRIORITIZING ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR Ref. Ares(2015)2669679 - 25/06/2015
Ref. Ares(2015)2903970 - 10/07/2015
ALL CHILDREN IN EUROPE AND BEYOND
WHAT WE KNOW AND WHAT CAN BE DONE
POLICY DISCUSSION DRAFT AGENDA
BRUSSELS I 3 JUNE 2015, VENUE TBC
Co-organized by UNICEF and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights in partnership with the European
Parliament Intergroup on Children’s Rights.
Time
Topic
Speakers
9:00—9:10
Opening Remarks
Ms. Caterina Chinnici, Member of the European
Parliament &Co-chair of the European Parliament
Intergroup on Children’s Rights
9:10—9:20
Key Note Address: Children’s Access to Justice: a Ms. Susan Bissell, UNICEF, Associate Director, Chief of
matter of rights, rule of law and inclusive
Child Protection
development
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Main findings of the study on Children’s
Ms. Ursula Kilkelly, independent expert
Involvement in Judicial Proceedings in the EU
(DG Just)
Main findings of the research on child
Ms. Astrid Podsiadlowski, European Union Agency for
participation in criminal and civil judicial
Fundamental Rights, Head of Sector Rights of the Child,
proceedings in 10 EU Member States
Equality and Citizens’ Rights Department
(professionals’ views)
Main findings of the Research Study on
Ms. Anne Grandjean, UNICEF Regional Office for Europe
Children’s Equitable Access to Justice in Central and Central Asia, Regional Child Protection Specialist
and Eastern Europe and Central Asia
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10:00—10:20 Testimonies: Reaching out to the most vulnerable •
Mr. Benoit Van Keirsbilck, Defence for Children
children and supporting them in seeking redress
International, President and Director for Belgium
•
Mr. Oliver Lewis, Mental Disability Advocacy Centre,
Director (TBC)
10:20—10:45 Coffee brea
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k
offee brea
10:45—12:15 Moderated Debate
•
Ms. Sabina Klaneček, Ministry of Justice of the
Republic of Slovenia
• What could be the measures taken by the EU •
Mr. Tam Bail ie, Children's ombudsperson and ENOC
to enhance children’s access to justice?
Chair
•
Mr. Bragi Guðbrandsson, Chair of the Council of
• How can access to justice for children
Europe Lanzarote Committee (TBC)
become an integral part of governance and
•
EEAS and/or DG Near (TBC)
rule of law reforms in the EU and
•
Chair of DROIPEN - Council (TBC)
neighbouring countries?
•
DG Justice (TBC)
•
EP Member (TBC)
12:15—12:25 Conclusions
•
European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights/
UNICEF (TBC)
12:25—12:30 Closing Remarks
•
Member of the European Parliament (TBC)
PRIORITIZING ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR
ALL CHILDREN IN EUROPE AND BEYOND
WHAT WE KNOW AND WHAT CAN BE DONE
CONFERENCE CONCEPT NOTE
Co-organized by UNICEF and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights in partnership with the
European Parliament Intergroup on Children’s Rights.
Access to justice is a fundamental human right in itself; but it is also an enabling right empowering children
to realise the rights enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Access to justice is also
central to good governance, sustainable and inclusive development and the rule of law. As stated by the
Committee on the Rights of the Child, ‘for rights to have meaning, effective remedies must be available to
redress violations… (..)’.
Children in Europe and neighbouring countries continue to have their rights violated, including their right to
health, to education and to be protected from violence. Yet, only a fraction of children have access to a fair,
timely and effective remedy - in other words, very few have access to justice.
Although much progress has taken place in the recent years, especially through the introduction of child-
friendly court procedures in many countries, day-to-day practice often does not fully comply with
international and European standards. While extensive resources are invested by national governments, the
EU and other partners to strengthen the rule of law and to reform the justice system, only few are devoted
explicitly to ensure access to justice for children. Justice systems that are not adapted risk victimising
children for a second time, doing more harm than providing redress. The most vulnerable children suffer
disproportionally. Access to justice for children is also negatively affected by social norms that still make it
difficult for children to initiate legal action and seek redress on their own behalf.
Recent evidence produced by the European Commission, the EU Agency for Fundamental rights (FRA) and
UNICEF shows that tailored and targeted measures adapted to children’s age, maturity and evolving
capacities are needed to ensure that all children in contact with the justice system, whether as victims,
suspects, witnesses or parties to any legal proceedings, are protected and assisted in claiming their rights.
Evidence also shows that measures are needed to tackle social norms that tolerate violence against children
and make it challenging for children to seek and obtain redress.
Policy makers and practitioners from Europe and beyond are invited to discuss the following key questions:
What do we know about children in contact with justice systems in EU Members States?
How do children experience access to justice in enlargement and Eastern neighbourhood countries?
What has been tried and what works in assisting the most vulnerable children in claiming their rights?
What are the most common obstacles facing children, and how can child-specific measures become an
integral part of governance and rule of law reforms in the EU and neighbouring countries?
For questions please contact: Anne Grandjean at
xxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx; Michaela Bauer at
xxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx or Monica Gutierrez at xxxxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxxxxx.xx