Jordan Media Institute (JMI) has organized a seminar entitled “Children in Conflict with the Law” in Irbid amid efforts to raise public awareness about child protection.
The event is part of a series of seminars held in cooperation with UNICEF as part of “Enhancing the Quality of Media Coverage of Issues Pertaining to Child Protection from Violence” project.
Participants discussed means to reintegrate children in conflict the law into society and other relevant initiatives, including the child protection, childcare, and witness protection programs.
Judge Wassan Qura’an commended amendments introduced to the Juvenile Law including raising the criminal responsibility age to 12 instead of 7 years and the rehabilitation of these children inside their families. The new law also provided for alternative measures in dealing with children that include behavior monitoring for a period not exceeding one year, she told participants.
Kathem Al-Kufairy, head of the Family and Childhood Protection Society, Irbid also spoke about efforts aimed at helping children of unknown parentage reintegrate into society through specialized psychosocial support.
Juvenile inspector at the Ministry of Social Development Fatima Khatib said children in conflict with the law who are not placed in juvenile centers are regularly monitored; with at least two follow-ups a month. The court may then decide to take the appropriate decision after taking into account the Ministry’s recommendations, she explained.
The seminar, facilitated by Aya Khawaldeh, a main contributor to Jordan Media Credibility Monitor “Akeed” is also part of “My Color, My Balloon” activities organized by UNICEF in several governorates over a period of four weeks.