On the 17th of March, the Global Campus of Human Rights organized an online webinar to present the project “Enacting recommendations of the UN Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty in the European Context”. After the welcoming words of moderator Manu Krishan, and Bruce Adamson, Manfred Nowak presented the Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty. Following this introductory session, Chiara Altafin, presented the main aims of this project, which goal is to create a space for exchange of experiences between the members of the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC) and find ways of collective action. Representatives from 28 country members of ENOC identified the current challenges in their work related to the rights of children deprived of liberty with a focus on institutions, migration and juvenile justice. Difficulties through out the pandemic and the lack of data collection in many countries was identified as an area that needs improvement. Some country representatives also identified some positive developments, such as the increased use of electronic devices that permit a more regular communication between children in detention and their parents or caregivers.
This online webinar marks the beginning of a collaboration between ENOC and the Global Campus of Human Rights working towards ending deprivation of liberty of children and enacting other recommendations of the Global Study in the European context.