Criminal Law and the Rights of the Child

Event Details

Venue:

British Institute of International and Comparative Law
Charles Clore House
17 Russell Square
London
WC1B 5JP

A One day Colloquium

What is this event about?

Despite having ratified various relevant instruments pertaining to the protection of the rights of children in criminal matters and despite national efforts of promulgation of various legislations, several states are either unable or still reluctant to generate the required political will and legal measures in offering adequate protection for children. As a result, many children across the world are currently found in circumstances which are incompatible with the international conventions.

This one day colloquium will bring together experts from a range of Muslim and non-Muslim states in order to share their research and experiences with regard to the rights of the child in criminal processes. Discussions among participants will highlight the successes and potential lacunas in various jurisdictions applicable to juvenile offenders. Each session will conclude with a question and discussion period at the end.

This event will take place during the final stage of a study on the topic undertaken by the British Institute of International and Comparative Law.

Draft Programme (further speakers and chair to be announced shortly)

9:30 - 10:00 Registration

10:00 - 10:10
Welcome Address
Professor Robert McCorquodale, Director of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL)

10:10- 11.15
SESSION 1
Rights of the Child in Criminal Law: Setting the Framework

This session will present the rights of the child within the criminal law framework in general. During this session, the BIICL study on the question will be presented.

Chair: Professor Robert McCorquodale, Director of the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL)

Speakers:
Dr Nisrine Abiad, Director of the 'Criminal Law and the Rights of the Child' project (BIICL)
Ms Kate Akester, Expert on Criminal Law and Children's Rights (United Kingdom)
Dr Mohamed Badar, Brunel University (United Kingdom)
Mr Amir Barmaki, Centre for Development and Sustainable Peace (Iran)
Mr Arturo Canalda Gonzalez, Ombudsman for Children (Spain)

11.15-11.30 Coffee break

11.30- 13.00
SESSION 2
Sharia, International Law and Juvenile Delinquency

This session will assess the legal framework for the protection of child offenders under Islamic criminal law and the fundamental Islamic sources. Experts from Islamic jurisdictions will discuss the background and challenges of criminal laws reforms pertaining to children under their jurisdictions.

Chair: Dr Hossein Mir Mohammad Sadeghi, Shahid Beheshti University (Iran)

Speakers:
Mr Behrooz Javanmard, Lawyer (Iran)
Professor Shaheen Sardar Ali, Warwick University (United Kingdom)
Mr Musa Usman Abubakar, Warwick University (Nigeria)
Professor Farkhanda Zia Mansoor, Islamic University of Pakistan (Pakistan)

13.00-14.00 Lunch

14.00-16.00
SESSION 3
Applicability of International Legal Standards within National Jurisdictions: Comparing Perspectives

This session will discuss the reforms carried out in order to harmonise national juvenile systems with international law: challenges, debates, failure and successes in the implementation.

Chair: Professor Lynn Welchman, SOAS (United Kingdom)

Speakers:
Dr Georges Assaf, Attorney at Law, Beirut Bar Association (Lebanon)
Dr Farah Dusuki, Faculty of Law, University of Malaysia (Malaysia)
Judge Concepción González del Real, Minors Court (Spain)
Dr Hakan Hakeri, Ondokuz Mayis University (Turkey)
Ms Ayla Karmali, Araa Group (United Arab Emirates)

16.00 - 16.30 Coffee break

16.30 -17.30
Concluding Remarks and Discussion
Chair: Professor Javaid Rehman, Brunel University (United Kingdom)
Speaker: Professor Aboumouhammad Asgarkhani, Tehran University (Iran)

Please note, NGO's pay at the Academic rates