|
Defence for Children International United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency – Riyadh Guidelines
The originsSince 1955, the United Nations have organised a congress on Crime Prevention and Treatment of Offenders every five years, bringing together representatives of the world’s national Governments, specialists in crime prevention and criminal justice, scholars of international repute and members of the NGOs concerned. The aim of these meetings has been to discuss problems, share professional experiences and seek viable solutions to crime. Their recommendations are intended to have an impact on the legislative bodies of the United Nations and on national and local Governments. Juvenile delinquency and its prevention have been items on the agenda of nearly all United Nations Congresses on Crime Prevention and Treatment of Offenders. The discussion on juvenile crime prevention even attracted the largest number of participants at the first congress (Geneva, 1955). Juvenile delinquency was treated as a broad category, comprising problems relating to youthful offenders but also to abandoned, orphaned and maladjusted minors. The second congress (London, 1960) already recommended limiting the concept of juvenile delinquency to violations of criminal law, excluding vaguely anti-social behaviour or rebellious attitudes which are widely associated with the process of growing up. We will find this restricted approach again in the Riyadh Guidelines. Article 56, for instance, states “Any conduct not considered an offence or penalized if committed by an adult should not be considered an offence or penalized if committed by a young person”. The sixth congress (Caracas, 1980) debated the theme of ?Crime prevention and quality of life’. This congress was important not only because of its pro-active approach of prevention but also because of the impetus it gave towards more “binding” engagements in dealing with juvenile crime. The provision of social justice for all children was strongly emphasised as a factor of prevention. Indeed, prevention was considered to be more than just tackling negative situations, but to be rather the promotion of welfare and well-being. The Riyadh Guidelines will be a concrete step in this direction. Article 2 for instance says: “Prevention of juvenile delinquency requires efforts by the entire society to ensure the harmonious development of adolescents, with respect for and promotion of their personality from their early childhood”. Although the topic of juvenile delinquency had been discussed throughout the UN Congresses on Crime Prevention and Treatment of Offenders, only in 1980 (Caracas) came the decision to materialise this attention in concrete recommendations. In 1985 (Milano) the so-called Beijing Rules were adopted: the Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice. In 1990 (Havana) two complementary instruments were accepted. The fact that the interest in the legal protection of children has begun to increase only recently, can certainly help explain why the UN recommendations in this field too are of recent date.
guidelines
|
