Department of Child Law advises UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
Researchers of the department of Child Law have submitted an advice to the Committee on the Rights of the Child of the United Nations, which monitors the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, on 7 January 2019.
In the advice, prepared by Prof. Dr. Ton Liefaard, Prof. Dr. Julia Sloth-Nielsen, Prof. Dr. Jaap E. Doek, Dr. Stephanie Rap, Dr. Yannick van den Brink and Ms. Eva Schmidt, the draft version of General Comment No. 24, in which the Committee discusses the rights of children in juvenile justice, is evaluated. The original version of this General Comment (General Comment No. 10) stems from 2007. The Committee has proposed a revised version in light of new developments and scientific insights, and contemporary problems.
The researchers are positive about the proposal to revise the General Comment. In their advice they discuss several issues that could be clarified or improved. For example, the opportunities and risks of new technologies for children’s rights could be further elaborated. Moreover, they advise to make more use of relevant scientific research, such as research into the use of specific and effective sanctions for children. The full version of the advice prepared by the department of Child Law can be found here.
The Committee will consider all comments submitted by interested parties before deciding on the final version of General Comment No. 24.