Administration of child justice

The Committee recalls its previous recommendation and its general comment No. 24 (2019) on children’s rights in the child justice system and urges the State Party to bring its child justice system fully into line with the Convention and other relevant international norms.

The Committee urges the State Party further strengthen legislative and administrative measures taken to ensure specialized justice for all children alleged as, accused of or recognized as having infringed criminal law, including through differentiated criminal proceedings, and accessible information on their rights.

The Committee urges the State Party to prioritise local prevention and, in case a child is accused of having committed a crime, strengthen diversion measures.

The Committee urges the State Party abolish preventive sentencing orders for crimes committed before the perpetrator has reached the age of 18.

The Committee urges the State Party ensure that children are not held together with adults, such as in the Eidsberg Prison.

The Committee urges the State Party ensure that isolation is avoided to the greatest extent possible and that decisions regarding solitary confinement and the use of coercive measures against children explicitly state how the child’s best interests and the requirement for the child to be heard have been addressed.

The Committee urges the State Party strengthen legal safeguards and ensure that forensic mental health assessments of children facing criminal charges are conducted by experts who have been trained on the particular needs and rights of children.