Three-year drive to strengthen justice and protection for children in Libya
LIBYA – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced the launch of the second phase of the “Developing Juvenile Justice in Libya” programme, a partnership between Libyan institutions, the European Union and the United Nations funded by the EU with €3 million over three years, aimed at improving the treatment and protection of children who come into contact with the justice system and providing them with appropriate support.
Protection, legal aid and children’s rights
According to a UNDP report — followed and summarised by Al-Marsad — the new phase will focus on making it easier for children and their families to access protection and legal aid services, strengthening the juvenile justice system and raising awareness of children’s rights. It will be implemented by three UN bodies: UNDP, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Protecting victims, witnesses and children in conflict with the law
The report said Libyan institutions responsible for justice, security and social services would work with the UN agencies to respond to the needs of children who come into contact with the justice system as victims, witnesses or alleged offenders, through procedures that take account of their age and circumstances, give them support and protect them from further harm.
It added that the programme would help institutions provide these responses in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and relevant national and international legal frameworks.
Interior Ministry: caring for Libyan and migrant children
The report quoted Abdulati Al-Jaddak, head of the International Organisations Follow-up Section at the Dbeibah government’s Interior Ministry, as saying the ministry was working with all child and family protection offices in the best interests of Libyan and migrant children alike.
EU: justice requires listening, protection and rehabilitation
European Union Ambassador to Libya Alexis Konstantopoulos said children in the justice system needed more than fair procedures: they needed to be listened to and protected, and to receive specialised support and real opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
He stressed that sustainability and national ownership were essential for the EU, and that progress must take root within institutions and continue after programmes end.
Richardson calls for coordination between justice, police and social services
Ulrika Richardson, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and UN Resident Coordinator in Libya, said protecting children required cooperation between justice institutions, the police and social services.
She said UNDP, UNICEF and UNODC were pooling their expertise to support Libyan institutions and provide a coordinated response that puts every child’s rights and needs first.
Justice Ministry: alternatives to detention and reintegration
Khaled Al-Falah, an adviser to the Dbeibah government’s Justice Ministry, said the first phase of the programme had provided an important basis for cooperation, particularly in supporting alternatives to detention and the reintegration of children into society, which he described as priorities for the new phase.
Social Affairs Ministry: a second chance for children
Ali Al-Nazoori, Undersecretary of the Dbeibah government’s Social Affairs Ministry, said a child in conflict with the law should not be seen as a criminal but as a child in need of care, rehabilitation and a second chance at a better life.
He affirmed the ministry’s continued commitment to its partnership with the Justice and Interior ministries and the international bodies involved.
Shoko Noda: protecting children is an investment in a more peaceful future
Shoko Noda, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP’s Crisis Bureau, said investing in children supports a more peaceful future, and that protecting their rights and helping them rebuild their lives helps build trust and create societies in which they feel they belong and have opportunities to grow and thrive.
