In January, UNICEF conducted a survey on the Socioeconomic Impact of COVID-19 Response. Later, this survey was used, among others, to release a publication on the impact of COVID-19 on children’s access to justice. During the COVID crisis, especially throughout the lockdown, there has been evidence that children who were in contact with or encountered law, experienced violations of their rights.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child stipulates that:

  1. In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.
  2. No child shall be deprived of his or her liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily. The arrest, detention or imprisonment of a child shall be in conformity with the law, and shall be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period.
  3. Every child deprived of liberty shall be treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity of the human person, and in a manner, which considers the needs of persons of his or her age.
  4. Every child deprived of liberty shall be separated from adults unless it is considered in the child's best interest not to do so, and shall have the right to maintain contact with his or her family through correspondence and visits, save in exceptional circumstances.

The survey tried to collect information from 157 countries, but only 143 answered the questionnaire. Below are some of the findings relevant to South-East Europe (focused on Eastern Europe and Central Asia):

  • 24% of countries reported a drop in coverage of legal/judicial processes, procedures, or services for children in contact with the law; 10% reported increased coverage or new service/program; 52% reported no change.
  • 19% reported a drop in coverage of processes, procedures or services for release or entry into detention; 67% reported no change.
  • 32% of governments have released children from detention since the COVID-19 pandemic started; 53% have not.
  • 21% of governments have put in place alternatives to detention since the COVID-19 pandemic started; 63% have not.
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