Spotlighting the Invisible

173 Pages·2017·2.84 MB·English

SPOTLIGHTING
THE INVISIBLE
JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN IN AFRICA
THE AFRICAN CHILD POLICY FORUM (ACPF)
The African Child Policy Forum (ACPF) is an independent, not for profit, Pan-African Institute of
policy research and dialogue on the African child.
ACPF was established with the conviction that putting children first on the public agenda is
fundamental for the realization of their rights and wellbeing and for bringing about lasting social
and economic progress in Africa.
ACPF’s work is rights based, inspired by universal values and informed by global experiences and
knowledge and is committed to Internationalism. Its work is guided by the UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child, The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the child, and other regional
and international human rights instruments. ACPF aims to specifically contribute to improved
knowledge on children in Africa; monitor and report progress; identify policy options; provide a
platform for dialogue; collaborate with governments, inter-governmental organisations and civil
society in the development and implementation of effective pro-child policies and programmes
and also promote a common voice for children in and out of Africa.
The African Child Policy Forum (ACPF)
P.O. Box 1179, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: [phone]/97/99
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Websites: www.africanchildforum.org
www.africanchild.info
© 2018 ACPF
Suggested citation:
ACPF (2018). Spotlighting the Invisible: Justice for children in Africa.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The African Child Policy Forum wishes to express its gratitude to all the stakeholders whose
invaluable contributions made this publication possible.
The Study was developed through a consultative process, with inputs from various individuals and
organisations. In particular, we extend our gratitude to Professor Julia J. Sloth-Nielsen for
developing the initial and subsequent drafts of the Report.
We acknowledge the invaluable contributions of participants of the validation workshop for the
Study held on 13-14 March 2018.
ACPF also appreciates the contribution and support of our partner Defence for Children
International (DCI), particularly their contribution to the country studies and for validation of
earlier drafts of the report. In particular, we appreciate the inputs of Lazhar Jouili (DCI-Tunisia);
Abdul Manaff Kemokai and Johan Vigne (DCI-Sierra Leone); Aicha Elmoustapha (DCI-Mauritania);
Foday M. Kawah and Johan Vigne (DCI-Liberia); and Hani Hilal, Mohammad Ahmad, Hiba
Mohammad, Alaa Ra'I; Samah Nahhas; and Ahmad Fayez (DCI-Egypt).
We would also like to acknowledge the invaluable contributions from ACPF experts whose
substantive country briefs informed the Study namely; Abdoulaye Ndiaye, Mouhamed Toure,
Mohamadou Lamine Cisse, Daouda Seck, Amsatou Sow Sidibe and Karine Kouka (Senegal); Osai
Ojigho and Ivy Odia (Nigeria); and Rumbidzai Dube and Rediet Yaschalew (Ethopia).
We are grateful for the financial support of our funders, Wellspring Philanthropic Fund as well as
all our partners that have provided technical and financial support to ACPF, without which the
Study would not have been undertaken. To all of you, we say thank you.
Finally, this work was carried out under the leadership of Dr Nkatha Murungi with the support of
Ms Rumbidzai Dube and Ms Rediet Yaschalew, constituting the Children and the Law Programme
of the African Child Policy Forum.
Spotlighting the Invisible: Justice for children in Africa I i

LIST OF ACRONYMS
ACERWC African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
ACPF African Child Policy forum
ACRWC African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
ARRS Arrest, reception and referral service
AU African Union
CLPC Children’s Legal Protection Centre
CRC United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
CYCC Child and youth care centre
Danida Danish International Development Agency
DCI Defence for Children International
DCS Department of Correctional Services
DOVVSU Domestic Violence and Victims Support unit
DPP Director of Public Prosecutions
DRC Democratic Republic of Congo
FSU Family Support Unit
HIV/AIDS Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome
IDR Informal dispute resolution
INGO International non-governmental organisation
IOM International Organisation for Migration
JDLs United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty
NCJF National Child Justice Forum
NGO(s) Non-governmental organisation(s)
OMCT World Organisation against Torture
SDGs Sustainable Development Goals
SLP Sierra Leone Police
SOCA Sexual Offences and Community Affairs Unit
UN United Nations
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund
UNICEF ESARO UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office
UNODC United Nations office on Drugs and Crime
WACPS Women and Children Protection Section
Spotlighting the Invisible: Justice for children in Africa I ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................i
LIST OF ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................ ii
PREFACE ............................................................................................................................viii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................ x
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................1
1.1 Background and Rationale of the Study ......................................................................1
1.2. Situations where Children are Involved In Justice Systems .....................................2
1.2.1 Criminal justice ..........................................................................................................................2
2.1.1.1 Children in conflict with the law .....................................................................................2
1.2.1.2 Child victims and witnesses ........................................................................................... 2
1.2.2 Civil justice ................................................................................................................................3
1.2.2.1 Care and protection .........................................................................................................3
1.2.2.2 Family law matters ........................................................................................................... 3
1.2.2.3 Unaccompanied children ............................................................................................... 4
1.2.3 Administrative procedures.........................................................................................................4
1.2.4 Customary/traditional courts and other informal alternatives ..................................................4
1.3. Vulnerable Groups ..................................................................................................................5
CHAPTER II: INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL INSTRUMENTS
RELATED TO CHILDREN IN JUSTICE SYSTEMS .....................6
2.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................6
2.2 The Beijing Rules (1985)............................................................................................................6
2.3 The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) and its Optional Protocol on
the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (2000) and the
Optional Protocol on a Communications Procedure (2011) .......................................................7
2.4 The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (1990) ..........................................9
2.5 The UN Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (1990) ...................................11
2.6 The UN Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty (1990).........................11
2.7 The UN Guidelines for Action on Children in the Criminal Justice system (1997) ......................11
2.8 The UN Guidelines on Justice in Matters involving Child Victims and Witnesses (2005)...............11
2.9 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) and the Optional
Protocol ..................................................................................................................................12
2.10 The Hague Conventions, including the Child Support Convention (2007).................................13
2.11 The UN Guidelines on the Alternative Care of Children (2009) ............................................... 14
2.12 The UN Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-Custodial Measures for
Women Offenders (‘the Bangkok Rules’) (2010) and the UN Standard Minimum Rules
for the Treatment of Prisoners (2015) (‘the Mandela Rules’)................................................. 14
Spotlighting the Invisible: Justice for children in Africa I iii
2.13 Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Fair Trial and Legal assistance in Africa,
and Guidelines on Action for Children in Justice Systems in Africa (2011) ................................15
2.14 UN Guidance Note on Justice for Children (2008) and Human Rights Council Resolution
on the Administration of Justice, in particular Juvenile Justice (2011) .....................................17
2.15 UN Reports on Violence against Children in the Juvenile Justice System (2012) and on
Restorative Justice (2013) and the UN Model Strategies and Practical Measures on the
Elimination of Violence against Children in the Field of Crime Prevention and Criminal
Justice (Model Strategies on VAC) (2014).................................................................................. 18
2.16 Model Law on Juvenile Justice (2013) ......................................................................................19
2.17 The Sustainable Development Goals (2015) .............................................................................20
2.18 Human Rights Council Report on Non-Discrimination and Protection of Persons with
Increased Vulnerability in the Administration of Justice (2017) and the appointment
of a Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Children Deprived of
their Liberty ............................................................................................................................ 20
2.19 Systems-strengthening and child-friendly justice ..................................................................... 21
CHAPTER III: FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF CHILD-FRIENDLY
JUSTICE ........................................................................................23
3.1 Participation ..............................................................................................................................23
3.1.1 Basic concepts........................................................................................................................ 23
3.1.2 Contextual analysis .................................................................................................................23
3.1.3 Examples ................................................................................................................................23
3.2 Best interests of the child .........................................................................................................2.5
3.2.1 Basic concepts .......................................................................................................................25
3.2.2 Contextual analysis .................................................................................................................26
3.2.3 Examples ................................................................................................................................26
3.3 Dignity .......................................................................................................................................28
3.3.1 Basic concepts.............................................................................................................................. 28
3.3.2 Contextual analysis ...................................................................................................................... 28
3.3.3 Examples ....................................................................................................................................28
3.4 Non-discrimination ...................................................................................................................30
3.4.1 Basic Concepts............................................................................................................................ 30
3.4.2 Contextual Analysis ....................................................................................................................30
3.4.3 Examples ....................................................................................................................................30
3.5 Rule of law ................................................................................................................................31
3.5.1 Basic concepts .............................................................................................................................. 31
3.5.2 Contextual analysis ......................................................................................................................31
3.5.3 Examples .....................................................................................................................................32
3.6 Child-adapted systems and institutions ...........................................................................................33
iv I Spotlighting the Invisible: Justice for children in Africa