A survey gave children and young people in Switzerland and Liechtenstein the opportunity to share their experiences on their access to justice. The findings will also be incorporated into General Comment No. 27.
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child writes documents known as General Comments that explain and interpret key provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The next General Comment, No. 27, will be released in 2025 and focuses on one central topic: children’s right to access to justice and effective remedies.
UNICEF surveyed children under the age of 18 on their experiences with the legal system. The collected findings will also be incorporated into General Comment No. 27. The survey reveals that many children associate legal processes with feelings of fear, nervousness and insecurity.
Most find juvenile legal proceedings hard to understand. Even those who have never been involved with such procedures don’t always find the explanations to be clear and comprehensible.
Children stated that their feelings of safety during the proceedings were mixed at best, although many received individual assistance during the process from their parents or lawyers, and all children who were informed of their right to a juvenile attorney took advantage of this right.
When they need help concerning a violation of their rights, many children are not comfortable asking for it. They are not sure whether they will really be helped. Nevertheless, most would still seek help. They find it essential that those providing professional legal assistance also provide moral support.
The children emphasize the importance of learning about children’s rights in school. They want their opinions to be taken seriously, and they want to be fully informed about their rights.
