Thursday, 29 July 2010

Juvenile Justice: Children’s court pilot planned


via Khmer NZ

Thursday, 29 July 2010 15:03 Khoun Leakhana

Juvenile Justice

The Ministry of Justice plans to spearhead a children’s court pilot programme – an early step in a bid to introduce a juvenile justice system in Cambodia.

Ith Rady, secretary of state at the Ministry of Justice, said officials and legal experts were discussing ways to help children who break the law.

It is hoped that a pilot project, which does not yet have a firm start date, will be a key part of creating a justice system that deals exclusively with people under the age of 18.

“We are going to train judges who will be in charge of child cases, so that they will understand the legal procedures for convicting children and how to use the law in this court system as well,” Ith Rady said during a workshop on the issue yesterday.

Cambodia currently lacks a separate juvenile justice law. Among the few provisions for children in the current penal code is a provision stipulating that sentences for minors should be halved.

Justice Minister Ang Vong Vathana said: “I believe that the child court will be useful for children in enhancing their rights and preventing discrimination or immoral acts in society.”

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