“Child-friendly justice” from children perspective – report of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (2017)

The European Commission prioritised child-friendly justice in its EU Agenda for the Rights of the Child. Among other efforts, it committed itself to promoting the Council of Europe's "Guidelines on child-friendly justice", which focus on children's rights to be heard, to be informed, to be protected and safe.

FRA has collected and analysed data to determine to what extent these rights are fulfilled in practice. FRA's first report on its research centred on the perspective of professionals (2015). The present report focuses on children who have been victims, witnesses or parties in judicial proceedings. "Their responses highlight how important the behaviour of professionals towards them is to make them feel safe and respected. The findings underline the need for clear and practical training for all professionals in contact with children involved in judicial proceedings - a point already emphasised in the first report by professionals themselves. In addition, the responses underscore the value of child-friendly hearing locations and age-appropriate information, as well as the importance of providing consistent support throughout proceedings and properly implemented procedural safeguards" wrote Michael O'Flaherty, FRA Director, in the foreword to the report.

FRA commends EU Member States to listen to the voices of children presented in this report and intensify their efforts to make justice truly child-friendly.

Report (English)
Report in the easy read format (English; 2018)