Editorial by Taghreed Jaber, Penal Reform International Regional Director, Middle East and North Africa,

During May10th -13th, 2010, Penal Reform International organized it’s third training workshop with the cooperation of the Egyptian Foundation for the Advancement of Childhood and the support of SIDA (Swedish Agency for Development) , under the title of “Mechanisms for Dealing with Juveniles and Promoting the Use of Diversion and Non-Custodial Measures” a four-day training workshop was delivered to 30 participants of the proposed members of the Child Protection Committees created by the Egyptian child Law No.12 for 1996 amended by law No.126 for 2008. 

According to the amended Egyptian Child law of 2008, the Child Protection Committees have the mandate to draw child protection polices in each governorate and to follow its implementation.  The committees have the right to receive complaints about children subject to threat and to deal with this threat. In the case of Juveniles; these committees might act as an early diversion measure aims at avoid transferring the child to the criminal justice system, when reconciliation is possible between the victim and the offender.  Additionally; These committees are assigned the task of monitoring Juvenile Care Centers. 

The training workshop introduced the general principles of restorative justice, the international standards regarding children rights in line with the Egyptian domestic legislations and Child law. This workshop was distinguished by sharing the regional pilot experiences to propose and develop new ways and means in applying the diversion programs and non-custodial measures and identifies the role of the Child Protection Committees in this development process.

As a continuation of the experience sharing process; PRI team visited the Ministry of Family and Population (Child Helpline) and a Juvenile care centre in Cairo to know the new measurements and tactics that has been accomplished within the new Egyptian child law.

Link : Penal Reform International

Disclaimer : The editorial does not necessarily reflect the opinion of IDE Board and team.

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