National conference highlights child-sensitive justice for refugee children

Lublin, Poland, 5-6 December 2024 – The national conference “Violence Against Children with Refugee Experience – Causes, Prevention, Response” took place in Lublin on December 5-6, marking a significant milestone in the second year of collaboration between UNICEF, the Ministry of Justice, the National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution, and the Institute of Forensic Research.

The two-day conference brought together more than 100 participants, including representatives from government ministries, central authorities, legal professionals, international and non-governmental organizations. Speakers included Zuzanna Rudzińska-Bluszcz, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Justice, Prof. Piotr Girdwoyń, Director of the National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution and Adam Chmura, Deputy Ombudsperson for Children.

The event underscored the pressing need for child-sensitive justice and more collaboration among institutions to protect child rights, particularly for refugee children. Refugee and migrant children and those from other vulnerable groups face elevated risks of violence, abuse, trafficking, and exploitation. They also encounter numerous challenges within justice systems who often fail to fully consider their best interests.

Key topics discussed included addressing legal and social challenges, the justice system's role in protecting refugee children, and effective violence prevention and response strategies. Participants shared best practices in the implementation of safeguarding measures, strengthening responses to child survivors of violence, and ensuring that children’s perspectives are meaningfully integrated into legal proceedings.

Over the past two years, the partnership between UNICEF and the Ministry of Justice has worked to improve access to child-sensitive justice for children, including refugees, through capacity-building initiatives and advocacy. To date, over 5,000 professionals, including judges, prosecutors, lawyers and court officers, have been trained in handling cases involving children, such as those related to domestic violence, migration, and trafficking.

Looking ahead UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice, will implement the European Union-funded project “Strengthening Response to Violence Against Children” to establish multidisciplinary centers for child survivors of violence. This initiative reflects a shared commitment to creating a safer and more equitable environment where every child, regardless of their circumstances, is safe and protected.

This conference was made possible by the generous support of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration of the United States.