NHRC organizes a day-long National Workshop to work on suggestions seeking modifications in the JJ Bill, 2014

PRESS RELEASE

 

New Delhi, 27th August, 2014

 

The National Human Rights Commission organized a day-long National Workshop to discuss the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Bill, 2014 in New Delhi today. The aim of the Workshop was to discuss the views of civil society organizations regarding modifications in the Bill necessary, if any.

 

The participants of the Workshop included officers from the Ministries/Departments of Women & Child Development, legal experts, NHRC officers, representatives of National and State Commissions, technical institutions, NGOs and civil society organizations.

 

Inaugurating the Workshop, Shri S.C. Sinha, Member, NHRC emphasized that importance of the subject cannot be undermined and the proposed Bill should be in conformity with the international norms, especially in consonance with the UN Convention on Child Rights and related guidelines.

 

During the Workshop, several participants brought out the inherent contradictions in the proposed Bill. Inadequacies of the provisions of the proposed Bill were also pointed out. It was strongly felt by the participating NGOs that the proposed Bill not only violated the core principle of juvenile justice under the UNCRC but also the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), both of which have been ratified by the Government of India.

 

The Commission will thoroughly examine the suggestions emerging from the Workshop and take a decision regarding the views to be conveyed to the Government.