THE Children’s Minister has emphasised Jersey’s commitment to children’s rights in an official government response to a United Nations report.
Constable Richard Vibert outlined the Island’s progress as part of the response to observations made by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.
The development of a child justice strategy was highlighted by the minister as a key area in which Jersey had already moved to address the recommendations of the UN committee.
Mr Vibert said the strategy had been developed to ensure Jersey complied with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and to give equal access to all children.
“We will not stand still, and the UN committee’s observations provide a helpful steer as we work towards progressively realising the rights of all children in Jersey,” he said.
Mr Vibert emphasised that Jersey remained committed to raising the age of criminal responsibility in Jersey from the current figure of ten-years-old, although he said changes were required to adequately support children and provide effective alternatives for those who would otherwise enter the formal criminal justice system.
After the States Assembly voted to ban smacking of children by parents, Mr Vibert said the government would continue to work towards changing attitudes in this area.
