First IPA Grant for Juvenile Justice Reform in MontenegroPODGORICA, October 8, 2008 – European Commission Delegation in Montenegro gives the first IPA (Instrument for Pre-accession) donation of 500.000 euros to UNICEF and partners for Juvenile Justice System harmonization with the standards prescribed by the UN CRC. Separate systems are necessary to deal with the special needs of children in conflict with the law. According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), children in conflict with the law have the right to treatment that promotes their sense of dignity and worth, takes into account their age and aims at their reintegration into society. Placing these children in a closed facility should be a measure of last resort. The IPA grant is about the children in conflict with the law – anyone under 18 who is suspected or accused of committing an offence. In the first place, efforts should be made to prevent children from coming into conflict with the law. Children do so not by choice, but as a result of narrowed opportunities available for their development. These opportunities are even more limited once they have entered the penal system. Separate systems are necessary to deal with the special needs of children in conflict with the law. According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), children in conflict with the law have the right to treatment that promotes their sense of dignity and worth, takes into account their age and aims at their reintegration into society. Placing these children in a closed facility should be a measure of last resort. The 18 month project “Reform of the Juvenile Justice in Montenegro” is aimed at increasing the number of children at risk benefiting from programmes that will prevent them from coming into conflict with the law, as well as at improving the treatment of children and the availability of community-based alternatives for them. “This is an ambitious and wide ranging project, that will see the development of a separate Juvenile Justice Code, the introduction of prevention and reintegration programmes and efforts to improve attitudes and behaviour towards at risk children and those who have come into conflict with the law.” said Noala Skinner, UNICEF Montenegro Representative at the signing ceremony for the first Instrument for Pre-accession (IPA) grant to Montenegro. “I am delighted that the first IPA grant signed in Montenegro relates to children. In particular, I am glad that we are sharing the platform with the Minister of Justice, and the Minister of Health, Labour and Social Welfare. This project is an important step in our long-term partnership and common work for the best interests of Montenegro’s children.” she added. A fundamental issue is to look at why children come into conflict with the law. Many are not even in conflict with the law at all, but are in need of care and protection. Even for those who are in conflict with the law, care and protection failures are often at the root of the offense committed. Head of the EC Delegation to Montenegro Ambassador Leopold Maurer signed the first IPA donation with the UNICEF Montenegro Representative Noala Skinner in Podgorica today. “A fundamental issue is to look at why children come into conflict with the law. Many are not even in conflict with the law at all, but are in need of care and protection. Even for those who are in conflict with the law, care and protection failures are often at the root of the offense committed.” said Maurer today. EC will donate additional 1.5 million euros from the Instrument for Pre-accession (IPA) funds for the judiciary reform in Montenegro. “Main beneficiaries of this program will be children and youth, which will ensure better future for Montenegro and the creation of a modern state” said Leopold Maurer at the signing ceremony. Minister of Justice Miras Radovic emphasized the significance of having the first IPA grant be dedicated to the juvenile justice reform. “This fact is relevant because it shows that EC recognizes Montenegro’s efforts to harmonize national legislation with EU and to strengthen capacities in judiciary… This project announces new content partnership between Montenegro, UNICEF and EC, which will result in the higher quality of the implementation of juvenile justice legislation.” said Radovic today in Podgorica. Minister of Health, Labour and Social Welfare Miodrag Radunovic assisted the signing ceremony of the first IPA grant to Montenegro considering it “of great significance for protection of the most vulnerable groups in the society – children without parental care, children affected by poverty, children with disabilities, children victims of violence, abuse and neglect and children in conflict with the law”.
Signing ceremony of the first IPA grant to Montenegro
Head of the EC Delegation to Montenegro, Ambassador Leopold Maurer and UNICEF Montenegro Representative Ms Noala Skinner signing the first IPA grant to Montenegro in presence of the Minister of Justice, Mr. Miras Radovic and the Minister of Health, Labour and Social Welfare Mr Miodrag Radunovic |
.jpg)
