LUCKNOW: The multidisciplinary Centre inaugurated over the weekend will focus on research, capacity building and evidence-informed advocacy on matters concerning the rights of the child.The new Centre was inaugurated by former Supreme Court Judge Justice (Retd.) Madan B Lokur on Saturday during a two day consultation at RMLNLU titled – “From Policy to Practice: commemorating 10 years of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015.Justice Lokur described the Centre for Child Rights at RMLNLU as a “big step forward”. He highlighted that such Centres can play a critical role in steering change through research to create a stronger Juvenile Justice framework. He particularly expressed worry over denial of bail to juveniles and the concerns arising out of the existing pre-assessment process for transferring a juvenile to the adult criminal system. He highlighted the need to bring clarity and transparency in the existing provisions of the JJ Act.The two- day national consultation with special focus on Uttar Pradesh ended on Sunday evening.The meet saw stakeholders including child rights activists, civil society organisations, Juvenile Justice Board members, people working with or having experience of the juvenile justice system like observation homes, lawyers, academics, researchers and students came together to dwell on the learnings and challenges faced in the implementation of the 2015 Act that had replaced the JJ Act 2000.Representatives from women and child department of Uttar Pradesh also participated.The consultation over various sessions looked at specific concerns starting from the first interaction of the child in conflict with law with the JJ system, challenges surrounding bail and pre-inquiry and the concerns arising out of the assessment process that is a critical aspect in cases involving the transfer of children to the adult criminal justice system. The consultation also drew attention to the challenges in rehabilitation and re-integration.Meanwhile, Dr Kumar Askand Pandey, Associate Professor, RMLNLU, shared that at the Centre for Child Rights one of the key institutional initiatives proposed include working on data evaluation and research.It is also proposed to bring out policy briefs, practical handbooks, standardised tools and annual reports on status of child rights and juvenile justice in Uttar Pradesh.The University also proposes to curate and rollout, after the requisite approvals, post graduate diploma programmes targeted at professionals working on child rights.As of now education of child rights and related laws in the form of a course is available to law students at RMLNLU by way of an elective subject from 8th to 10th semester for LLB students who are specialising in criminal law. The elective subject is also available for students specializing in criminal laws in the LLM programme.
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With the new Centre in place, RMLNLU as per its vision document seeks to build a “child- sensitive, rights – based and evidence – driven ecosystem in which every child is heard, protected, respected and provided access to justice, care and opportunity”.The focus areas include juvenile justice and restorative practice, child protection, POCSO and institutional care, right to education and inclusion, child labour, trafficking and migration, children in the digital environment and children with disabilities.
