ZCZC
BSS-20
MOU-UNICEF-SC
UNICEF extends ties with SC to strengthen justice for children
DHAKA, Dec 20, 2017 (BSS) – UNICEF today extended its ongoing partnership
with the Supreme Court (SC) of Bangladesh to strengthen child courts, among
other things, for ensuring the best interest of children in conflict with the
law.
For this purpose, both the parties extended the existing Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) up to December 2019.
The MOU signing ceremony was attended by Acting Chief Justice Md Abdul
Wahhab Miah, Justice Muhammad Imman Ali, Justice Sheikh Hassan Arif, Supreme
Court Registrar General In-Charge Dr Md Zakir Hossain, UNICEF Bangladesh
Representative Edouard Beigbeder.
The earlier MOU that was signed in February 2017, expires this month.
Renovation of child courts, building capacity of stakeholders, community
engagement, strengthening coordination, increase diversion rates and
improving the monitoring of cases will be ensured under the new agreement to
promote and protect the interest of children.
The Supreme Court Special Committee on Child Rights will also advice,
monitor and guide government and non-government stakeholders to realise the
rights of children.
The agreement includes three key thematic areas: monitoring implementation
of the Children Act 2013 – particularly strengthening access to justice for
children; developing an information management system and strengthening
alternative care facilities, monitoring and follow up.
“The Children Act-2013 is a great legal instrument to protect the rights of
children. However, its success will mainly depend on effective implementation
of the Act, especially to strengthen access to justice for children,” Edouard
Biegbeder said.
He hoped that under the extended agreement, administrative procedures will
be set up for child courts, database developed, other monitoring frameworks
and digital set-up installed in pilot courts and institutions.
BSS/PR-MHR/SSS/1719 hrs