Juvenile Laws at Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau's juvenile justice system is in a developmental phase, with ongoing efforts to align with international child rights standards. Here's an overview of the current legal framework and initiatives:
š Legal Framework
Child Protection Code (CĆ³digo de ProteĆ§Ć£o Integral da CrianƧa) ā 2021
This comprehensive code addresses various aspects of child welfare, including:
Corporal Punishment:Prohibited in schools, alternative care settings, and penal institutions. However, the code does not explicitly ban corporal punishment in the home or daycare settings
Child Participation: Ensures children's right to be heard in judicial and administrative proceedings affecting themī
Juvenile Justice: The code includes provisions for juvenile justice, though challenges remain in implementationīī
Constitution of Guinea-Bissau
The constitution enshrines the rights of children, aligning with international conventions such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
āļø Juvenile Justice System
Guinea-Bissau lacks specialized juvenile courts and trained personnel to handle cases involving minorsīīThe judicial system's capacity to address juvenile cases is limited, and children often face detention alongside adultsī
šØ Challenges
Limited Access to Justice Many children, especially in rural areas, have limited access to legal services due to infrastructure challenges and lack of legal awarenes.
Traditional Justice Practices In some regions, traditional justice systems prevail, where children's rights may not be adequately protecte.
Infrastructure Gaps The absence of dedicated juvenile detention facilities and trained personnel hampers the effective implementation of juvenile justice law.
š International Commitment
Guinea-Bissau has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, committing to uphold children's righsī However, the lack of direct incorporation of international treaties into national law means enforcement remains a challene.
š Ongoing Initiatives
*Mobile Justice Units: The UNDP, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and UNICEF, has launched the "Candonga di JustiƧa" project to decentralize justice services, including birth registration and legal counseling, to remote aras.
*Access to Justice Centers: These centers aim to provide legal information and support to communities, enhancing access to justice for vulnerable populatins.
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While Guinea-Bissau has established a legal framework for juvenile justice, significant challenges remain in implementato.Ongoing reforms and international support are crucial to ensuring that children's rights are effectively protected and uphld.
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