An Orientation on International Standards of Juvenile Justice System for Turkmenistan Jurors
 Ashgabat, 17 August 2011 – Representatives of the courts of Turkmenistan are attending an orientation on international standards of juvenile justice system provided by the Essex Children’s Legal Centre based in the United Kingdom and supported by the UNICEF Turkmenistan. A two day workshop for judges, working with children is based on the United Nations Guidelines on Justice in Matters involving Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime.
The overall objective of the workshop is to equip professionals working with child witnesses, victims and offenders with the special skills and understanding based on contemporary interdisciplinary knowledge on the rights and needs of children of different age and stages of development, and children in situations of particular vulnerability, as well as to encourage proceedings that are adapted to children. Workshop participants will be oriented on the principles of child-friendly justice at national level, which are built on the fundamental message of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) to take into primary consideration the best interests of the child. The international norms and standards of the UN Guidelines will be presented to the justice professionals to further support the review of national laws, procedures and practices so that these ensure full respect for the rights of child victims and witnesses of crime and contribute to the implementation of the CRC. Participants will also have an opportunity to dwell on the concept of diversion as the most desirable and effective option for dealing with child offenders fostering respect for the rights of the child; issues of deprivation of liberty of a juvenile as a last resort; and promotion of the reintegration of the child to become a full, constructive member of the society. A community dimension of the reintegration strategies such as ‘restorative justice’ measures, sports, apprenticeship will be also discussed during the workshop. This workshop is one of the components of UNICEF’s ongoing support to the Government of Turkmenistan in reforming the juvenile justice system. For the last few years the Government of Turkmenistan, with UNICEF’s technical assistance, has identified areas in the national legislation to harmonize it with international juvenile justice standards and best practices. For more information please contact:
Mr. Shohrat Orazov
UNICEF Social Policy Officer
Email:
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Ms. Ayna Seyitlieva
UNICEF Communication for Development Officer
Phone: +99312 425681/82/85/86
Fax: +99312 425779
Email:
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Web: http://www.unicef.org/turkmenistan | 
