Children’s Rights International (“CRI”) was established following the 4th World Congress in Cape Town, South Africa. Sally Nicholes is a longstanding board member of Children’s Rights International. CRI have had a strong involvement in Cambodia for many years. The 7th World Congress assisted in solidifying the working relationship between CRI and the Cambodian Government to implement the new Juvenile Justice Law which was approved by the National Assembly in 2016 and became law in February 2017.
The law creates a framework to protect children who are at risk of or who have come into contact with the criminal justice system in Cambodia. With over 1,500 children incarcerated at this present time and few child friendly practices or protections in place, the proper implementation of this law is crucial to the Cambodian justice system. CRI, led by the Former Chief Justice of the Family Court, the Honourable Alastair Nicholson, have conducted meetings, consultations and study tours with the Cambodian Government and relevant stakeholders such as Legal Aid Cambodia to assist with the implementation of the law.
Nicholes Family Lawyers in full support of CRI’s endeavors have assisted where possible. On 22 October 2018, I was privileged as an Associate to accompany Hon. Alastair Nicholson to Phnom Penh to assist with CRI’s three day seminar with members of the Cambodian Government. The seminar was hosted in partnership with the Cambodian Ministry of Justice, led by Her Excellency Chan Sotheavy. The Seminar was discussion based enabling consultation with CRI, the relevant Ministries of the Cambodian Government, UNICEF and Legal Aid Cambodia. From these consultations, a draft framework has been established to ensure that the new Juvenile Justice Law is implemented in a way that supports diversion and child friendly practices from Police questioning all the way through the justice system to community reintegration following incarceration. The working group discussed the benefits of diversion, specialisation and accreditation systems for police officers, prosecutors and judges, the use of social agents and community awareness and messaging strategies.
The three day seminar highlighted the power of stakeholders working together to achieve a common goal and emphasised the importance of protecting the rights of children. CRI will continue to work towards the implementation of the law with a second seminar being held in Phnom Penh in early 2019.
International (“CRI”) was established following the 4th World Congress in Cape Town, South Africa. Sally Nicholes is a longstanding board member of Children’s Rights International. CRI have had a strong involvement in Cambodia for many years. The 7th World Congress assisted in solidifying the working relationship between CRI and the Cambodian Government to implement the new Juvenile Justice Law which was approved by the National Assembly in 2016 and became law in February 2017.
The law creates a framework to protect children who are at risk of or who have come into contact with the criminal justice system in Cambodia. With over 1,500 children incarcerated at this present time and few child friendly practices or protections in place, the proper implementation of this law is crucial to the Cambodian justice system. CRI, led by the Former Chief Justice of the Family Court, the Honourable Alastair Nicholson, have conducted meetings, consultations and study tours with the Cambodian Government and relevant stakeholders such as Legal Aid Cambodia to assist with the implementation of the law.
Nicholes Family Lawyers in full support of CRI’s endeavors have assisted where possible. On 22 October 2018, I was privileged as an associate to accompany Hon. Alastair Nicholson to Phnom Penh to assist with CRI’s three day seminar with members of the Cambodian Government. The seminar was hosted in partnership with the Cambodian Ministry of Justice, led by Her Excellency Chan Sotheavy. The Seminar was discussion based enabling consultation with CRI, the relevant Ministries of the Cambodian Government, UNICEF and Legal Aid Cambodia. From these consultations, a draft framework has been established to ensure that the new Juvenile Justice Law is implemented in a way that supports diversion and child friendly practices from Police questioning all the way through the justice system to community reintegration following incarceration. The working group discussed the benefits of diversion, specialisation and accreditation systems for police officers, prosecutors and judges, the use of social agents and community awareness and messaging strategies.
The three day seminar highlighted the power of stakeholders working together to achieve a common goal and emphasised the importance of protecting the rights of children. CRI will continue to work towards the implementation of the law with a second seminar being held in Phnom Penh in early 2019.