Elements of child-friendly justice based on the case law of the European Court of Human Rights

Abstract

Virtually every child is not immune to entering the justice system and this can happen in a variety of ways, covering all areas of justice from the start of a pre-trial investigation to the execution of a judgment in a civil case. In doing so, the justice system should be structured to take into account the «best interests of the child» as broadly understood and to distinguish it from justice where adults are involved. This requires the state, when organising justice, to create special elements in its system aimed at the «best interests of the child», which can be seen quite clearly in the «special features» of child-friendly justice. Alongside this, the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights is an important benchmark in the protection of human rights, not excluding children’s rights. They cover safeguards for a wide range of rights and in many cases it is through the practice of the Strasbourg Court that important trends in the protection of children’s rights can be seen. As a consequence, an analysis of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights helps to highlight the special features of child-friendly justice, which will contribute to the formation of specific elements, establish their presence (or absence) in practice and the possibility to suggest ways to implement them, both in legislation and in law enforcement practice. A summary of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights in cases involving children’s rights demonstrates to us first and foremost the need for special attention in proceedings involving a child. An analysis of the validity of interference with the various rights guaranteed by the Convention, which does not enshrine separate rights for children, highlights particular elements that need to be enshrined in a child-friendly justice system. The above elements are not an exhaustive list to be considered when implementing child-friendly justice, they may complement each other, depending on the specifics of each situation, and they are a good reference point to be reflected both in legislation and in practice, which may be the subject of further scientific discussion and development. Key words: European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, European Court of Human Rights, child rights, child-friendly justice, best interests of the child.