Statement Delivered at the HRC57 on Item 3 – Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
Defence for Children International remains concerned about the impact of mandatory sentencing on children. We appreciate the Working Group’s focus on this issue in its report.
Mandatory minimum sentences, while affecting all individuals in the criminal justice system, have particularly severe long-term consequences for children. These rigid punitive measures fail to take into account the unique needs of children, such as their age, background, and potential for rehabilitation. As a result, children often face disproportionately harsh outcomes that disrupt their education, sever family ties, and lead to lasting effects such as stigmatisation, mental health issues, and diminished opportunities for reintegration into society.
The NGO Panel is alarmed that this approach not only harms the well-being and future prospects of children but also contradicts international legal standards that emphasise rehabilitation over punishment.
On the fifth anniversary of the UN Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty, it is crucial to build upon and utilise good practices for alternatives to custodial measures and to gain momentum towards ending the deprivation of liberty for children.
We call on Member States to:
- Implement accessible and high-quality diversion programmes to prevent children from entering the criminal justice system.
- Adhere to the recommendations of the UN Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty.
For more information on the Global Study and its recommendations, please register for the Global Conference on Justice for Children Deprived of Liberty, taking place in Geneva from 17 to 19 December 2024.
Read the full statement here (in English).