IBCR Guidelines on Justice for Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime (2003)
The Guidelines on Justice for Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime were finalized by IBCR in 2003. They are the result of an extensive process of research and analysis of international and regional instruments, legislation, and good practices in implementing child-friendly judicial procedures. They are also the result of dialogue and consultation with NGOs, Government representatives, criminal lawyers, professionals and experts, including a steering committee composed of experts in the areas of child rights, criminal law, criminology and victimology. Initially published in English, French and Spanish, the Guidelines were very well received by the international community and by professionals on the field, and were soon translated into Arabic, Chinese, Slovak, and Russian.
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The guidelines provide a practical and user-friendly tool and a practical framework to: assist and guide professionals, and where appropriate volunteers, working with child victims and witnesses of crime in their day-to-day practice and to assist in the design, review and implementation of national and domestic laws, procedures, and practices. They were drafted in accordance with four cross-cutting principles: dignity, non-discrimination, best interest of the child and participation. While recognizing the right of the defendant to a just and fair trial, the guidelines emphasize the ten fundamental rights and principles regarding the participation of children in the judicial process: the right to be treated with dignity and compassion; the right to be protected from discrimination; the right to be informed; the right to express views and concerns and to be heard; the right to effective assistance; the right to privacy; the right to be protected from justice process that may cause hardship; the right to safety; the right to reparation; and the right to special preventive measures. |
Other publications and work :
As a companion to the Guidelines, IBCR published "The Rights of Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime: A compilation of selected provisions drawn from international and regional instruments". Now in its second edition, the compilation is available in English and French .
As well as the Guidelines project, the IBCR also worked to produce:
- The publication of a handbook entitled “The rights of child victims and witness of crime: a compilation of international and national instruments” available in both English and French.
- A child-friendly version of the guidelines, published in 2007.
- An elaboration of the Model law, training programs in partnership with UNICEF and UNODC, and to provide technical support to countries at their request.