Understanding the Rights of Child Offenders under the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Asea Gašparić
Ph.D. candidate at the Deák Ferenc Doctoral School of Law of the University of Miskolc in cooperation with the Central European Academy in Budapest, Hungary
Lilla Garayová
Prof., PhD., LL.M. Vice-Dean, Professor, Faculty of Law, Pan-European University, Slovakia
This article examines the juvenile justice system within the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), highlighting the significant gap between international standards and practical implementation. It explores how the CRC’s principles of non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, the right to life and development, and the right to be heard are applied or misapplied within current juvenile justice practices. Through a review of case studies and global practices, this study identifies the challenges faced by juvenile justice systems and underscores the need for a paradigm shift from punitive approaches to ones that focus on rehabilitation and reintegration. It argues for the necessity of systemic changes to ensure that juvenile justice systems not only comply with international legal standards but are also effective in supporting the development and rights of young offenders. The article calls for comprehensive reforms in the design and operation of juvenile justice systems to prioritize the protection of children’s rights and their best interests, ensuring a justice system that is both just and nurturing.
Keywords: Juvenile Justice; Convention on the Rights of the Child; Rehabilitation; Reintegration; Child-centric Justice Systems; Global Practices in Juvenile Justice
