ABBOTTABAD: Speakers at a workshop urged the implementation of Juvenile Justice System Act 2018, and demanded to ensure establishment of juvenile rehabilitation centers, observation homes, juvenile justice committees and juvenile courts across the country including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

The media workshop, arranged by a civil society organisation namely SANJOG on juvenile justice system, was attended by media representatives, legal experts and others. The legal professionals highlighted importance of child oriented approach and emphasized the need for effective implementation of the Act to protect the rights of juvenile offenders.

SANJOK chief executive officer Hafiza Tayyaba Javaid briefed the participants on the working of the organization. She stressed the need for increased funding and resources to rehabilitate juvenile offenders. She also called for awareness campaign to educate stakeholders, including officials of law enforcement agencies, judiciary and general public about the provisions of the Act.

Malik Saeed Akhtar advocate, during his presentation, said that the Juvenile Justice System Act 2018 was supposed to provide a child friendly justice system, focusing on reintegration of juvenile offenders into society.

He claimed the Act’s implementation remained the challenge in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where limited resources and infrastructure had hindered its effective execution. Another keynote speaker, Waheed Ahmad Chaudhry advocate informed the participants that children in Pakistan were considered as the most vulnerable citizens who suffered deficiencies of Pakistan’s criminal justice system.

He highlighted different challenges faced by the juvenile offenders, including lack of effective legal representation for children in courts and detention centres. He further said that majority of police officials were even unaware of the existence of this Act. Similarly, he informed that according to Section 83 of the CrPC, no child between the ages of 12 and 14 should be arrested.

Replying to a query Waheed Ahmad Chaudhry advocate said that the children were subjected to detention in conditions that usually had a detrimental effect on child’s psychological and physical well-being. The legal expert said that the children faced the very real threat of physical abuse, not only from investigating and detaining police personnel, but also from fellow inmates who might or might not be juveniles.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2024