Restorative justice as an element of criminal protection of children’s rights

Abstract

The article covers the issues of criminal law protection of the rights of minors in criminal proceedings, some problems of implementationof the principles of restorative justice for minors. In the context of social naturalism, the use of restorative justice for minorsis considered.The criminal process is the most traumatic for the psyche of children. A lawyer is the only person without whom it is impossibleto conduct criminal proceedings with a child. Unfortunately, all other people may be absent. In some cases, the child’s parents, next ofkin or legal representatives do not appear in court, and the participation of the appointed legal representative remains formal.As a matter of priority, in order to improve the situation regarding the criminal law protection of the rights of minors, it is expedientto start discussing systemic changes in national legislation and relevant work, including social work, which will create a basis forimproving the protection of juvenile rights in criminal proceedings.In conclusion, it should be concluded that only if all participants in criminal proceedings involving a child fully exercise their rightsand properly perform their duties, the tasks of such criminal proceedings will be performed and the child’s rights will be reliably protected.Given the above, it can be reasonably argued that in the current legislation of Ukraine (as of the date of this article) there areproblems of criminal protection of minors in criminal proceedings, problems of implementation of the principles of restorative justicefor minors, including the issue of exemption from criminal liability. Ways to solve problematic issues are analyzed.Some gaps in legislation that restrict or violate the rights of children in criminal proceedings need further settlement, includingin accordance with Council of Europe priorities. Proposals to improve the legislation include the introduction of the concept of “youngpeople” (up to 21 years) and the expansion of the possibility of releasing young people from criminal liability or punishment in case ofcommitting certain serious crimes.