Report of the second meeting of the juvenile justice committee

The Palestinian Center for Democracy and Conflict Resolution held the second meeting of the juvenile justice committee within the Child Justice project, with support from Terre des hommes Switzerland and UNICEF, attended by 18 people representing the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Social Development, the judiciary and the Palestinian Center for Democracy and Conflict Resolution. The meeting agenda was as follows: :
1. Appointing a single judge to handle cases in accordance with the juvenile laws in force.
2. An employee from the Production Bank to handle financial matters related to the juvenile court.
3. Procedures for dealing with the juvenile at the Al-Rabee institution, the police, the prosecution and the judiciary.
4. Applying the amendments made to the law and drawing on them in a way that achieves the best interests of the child.
Mr. Fadi Hamad opened the meeting of the juvenile justice committee, welcoming those present and explaining the agenda. The committee discussed issues relating to juveniles and produced a number of recommendations and outputs.

The outputs and recommendations of the meeting were as follows:

There must be penal procedures for juveniles that settle how the juvenile is dealt with.
Providing complete logistics in all the places that work with juveniles to facilitate the process.
Forming a designated committee to be the point of reference for guardians when a problem arises, which then refers it to the judge to address the problem and put matters right.
Having a single judge with an educational background and specialisation who deals with cases in his own way, rather than several judges.
The judge should review other experiences in applying the law in force and the procedures followed in neighbouring countries, and benefit from their working mechanisms.
The probation officer must be present during investigations and when a juvenile is detained, particularly in felony cases.
Providing a visiting doctor for the Al-Rabee institution to supply the necessary medicines at the request of the Ministry of Health.
Prosecution pleadings must be based on the best interests of the child, not on the offence the child committed.
The probation officer must keep to his role during the investigation and not interfere in legal matters and procedures.
Addressing the law on release on bail after detention and the need for guarantees, and the need for penal procedures for bail for juveniles in particular.
Establishing a social committee that works with all parties, especially the victim, and seeks solutions with the offender.
Providing an employee of the Production Bank at the juvenile court every Tuesday during hearings to collect fines or bail payments.
Providing a dedicated felony court that considers cases separately.
Providing a specialised court of first instance judge for felonies and misdemeanours who takes into account alternative penalties for juveniles.
Summoning the probation officer during investigations in any case involving juveniles.
Expediting the filing of felony case files.
Producing a brochure and a diary on the achievements and work of the Al-Rabee institution and the juvenile court.