Implementation of international standards of child-friendly justice — law enforcement and government officials signed a joint document
Today, June 1, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine signed an order on the implementation of international standards of child-friendly justice in practical activities.
The document on its implementation and implementation was signed by the Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin together with the Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Klymenko, the Minister of Justice Denis Malyuska and the First Deputy Minister of Social Policy Dariya Marchak.
Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin stressed that today the prosecutor's office is on the way to more humane justice for children. Actively participates in legislative changes and introduction of new stories. And there are already results to be proud of.
“Only by joint efforts can we build a system where the interests of the child are protected and of paramount importance. While the Armed Forces choose a restful sleep and a peaceful morning for our children, we must act to prevent further escalation of crime in the children's environment. At the same time, it should be remembered that we work with the most vulnerable categories - children whose growing up coincided with the realities of fighting the aggressor,” the Prosecutor General noted.
Andriy Kostin added that the project is currently piloting in five regions of Ukraine: Zhytomyr, Kirovohrad, Lviv, Chernivtsi, Cherkasy and Kyiv city. Upon its completion, the new standards will be legislatively enshrined, scaling the principles of child-friendly justice to the entire country.
In turn, the Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Igor Klymenko said that this document will contribute to the protection of those children who have suffered crimes and need help, as well as those who have committed crimes.
“We are seeing a rapid increase in crimes involving children. Since the beginning of the year, NPU has registered about 1400 criminal offenses. Among them are war, serious and especially serious crimes, the victims of which are minors. This is 72% more than in the same period last year,” said the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
The head of the department said that a full-scale war has shaken our society and has a great impact on children. The number of crimes against children is increasing, as is the open question of children committing or participating in criminal activities.
“That is why there is an urgent need to introduce a comprehensive and unified approach of all state bodies involved in the justice system to avoid traumatization of the child during investigative actions. The order, which we signed, starts the process of forming the necessary competence of participants in the criminal process with the participation of children. This document will form a joint program for training and improving the qualifications of our specialists in this field,” said Igor Klymenko.
The Minister of Internal Affairs stressed that the protection of the rights and observance of the interests of the child is a constant priority of the authorities. By changing approaches in pre-trial investigation and judicial proceedings against minors, Ukraine is moving closer to EU standards.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
