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UNICEF releases report on voices of Cambodian children in criminal justice system

Xinhua, January 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday launched findings of the first-ever study on children's experiences in Cambodian criminal justice system, according to its press statement.

The report shares the views and opinions of children and calls for child-friendly legal procedures, the statement said. "The study found that children generally felt the police behaved 'normally'toward them when reporting cases, however, 20 percent of respondents reported paying money to police before their cases moved forward,"the statement said.

According to the report, court processes were rarely child- friendly. Children often had to sit through other cases and were sometimes exposed to those relating to violent crimes.

The report calls for an improvement in police and court logistical practices designed specifically to deal with child cases, and increase their well-being and understanding of legal procedures. "The findings revealed honest truth about how children have been treated in the justice system; it is not meant to criticize any professionals but to encourage them to create a better system that provide the best protection to children,"said UNICEF Cambodia Resident Representative Rana Flowers. "We would like to urge the government to create specialized courts with designated judges and prosecutors to handle children' s cases,"she said.

The qualitative survey was conducted in 2014 by the NGO Hagar Cambodia with UNICEF support.

Some 103 interviewees, including 54 child victims and witnesses, were asked about their experiences with police treatment, medical support, courtroom challenges and post-trial support in dealing with rape, sexual abuse, trafficking, assault and domestic violence cases. Judicial authorities, NGO staff and police were also among the respondents.

Speaking at the launch event, Cambodian Justice Undersecretary of State Ou Rasy said"The report findings are crucial lessons for the current judicial reforms to ensure children's rights are respected throughout the criminal justice system." Endi