DHAKA, May 14, 2020 – UNICEF has welcomed the release of the first group of children who are held in detention facilities while awaiting trial in Bangladesh.
As a response to the disruption of regular court proceedings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court established virtual children’s courts with support from UNICEF.
The children’s courts expedite the trial of children in conflict with the law with a view to releasing them from juvenile detention centres to avoid their possible infection by COVID-19, a UNICEF press release said.
Since public court proceedings were postponed in March, the number of detained children has increased. Their number is now almost twice the capacity of the juvenile detention centres. More than 1,000 children awaiting trial or sentenced for petty crimes are currently held in three centres.
With limited staff and logistical support, and with inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, it is exceptionally difficult for children and staff to practice physical distancing or to self-isolate to minimise the risk of infection. These facilities can become hotspots of infection where the virus incubates and spreads, said the UNICEF release.
Putting the best interests of the children first, the President of Bangladesh issued the ordinance to introduce virtual courts on May 9 last, and Bangladesh’s first-ever virtual children’s court began operating on May 12. UNICEF provides technical support to the Department of Social Services and the centres to manage the court procedures.
“I wholeheartedly commend the decision to introduce virtual children’s courts and very much welcome the release of children from detention. The wellbeing and protection of children must be at the centre of our response to COVID-19. By acting with a sense of urgency on all fronts, we can prevent the pandemic from transforming into a lasting crisis for children,” said Tomoo Hozumi, UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh.
Following the release yesterday of the first group of seven children, several hundred children can be released in the next two weeks. UNICEF is working with the Department of Social Services to help reunite the children with their families by communicating with families and accompanying the children on their journey home.
UNICEF supports safe reintegration into the family setting by facilitating access to health care and other services such as psychosocial support, violence prevention and response, and education.
Bangladesh has a juvenile justice system. At the same time, it needs to further strengthen a court setup that caters better to the needs of children.
UNICEF works actively with the Supreme Court Special Committee on Child Rights and the Ministry of Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs for improved justice for children, including child-friendly courts, according to the release.
Sixteen out of 102 courts now offer a less intimidating environment and have staff that are trained on child rights.
Following the ordinance to introduce virtual courts, UNICEF now provides technical support to develop Practice Directions that aim to enhance the child-friendliness of the children’s courts, said the press release.