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The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), a department of the UN Secretariat, is mandated to promote and protect the enjoyment and full realization, by all people, of all rights established in the UN Charter and in international human rights laws and treaties. The mandate includes preventing human rights violations, securing respect for all human rights, promoting international cooperation to protect human rights, coordinating related activities throughout the UN, and strengthening and streamlining the UN system in the field of human rights. In addition to its mandated responsibilities, the Office leads efforts to integrate a human rights approach within all work carried out by UN agencies. Click here to see more about OHCHR's activities on children.


UNICEF's mission to protect the rights of all children is guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Within this mandate, one of UNICEF's priorities is the protection of children against violence, exploitation and abuse, with a special focus to the most vulnerable including children deprived of parental care, in conflict with the law and in armed conflicts. In the area of Justice for Children, UNICEF works together with UN agencies and other partners in ensuring that justice systems provide greater protection to children as victims, witnesses and offenders. This includes strengthening national justice systems, influencing public attitudes and integrating justice for children's issues within broader initiatives such as rule of law or poverty reduction. In terms of juvenile justice specifically, UNICEF focuses on reducing recourse to deprivation of liberty, through the promotion of non-custodial measures, restorative justice and diversion. Click here to see more about UNICEF's work on justice for children.  Click here for more information on UNICEF's work on juvenile justice in the CEE/CIS.


The United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) is dedicated to assisting the Member States and the Secretary-General in their efforts to maintain international peace and security. The Department's mission is to plan, prepare, manage and direct UN peacekeeping operations, so that they can effectively fulfil their mandates under the overall authority of the Security Council and General Assembly, and under the command vested in the Secretary-General. The Department works to integrate the efforts of UN, governmental and non-governmental entities in the context of peacekeeping operations. DPKO also provides guidance and support on military, police, mine action, and logistical and administrative issues to other UN political and peacebuilding missions. Click here to see more about DPKO's peacekeeping best practices.


The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. UNDP's network links and coordinates global and national efforts to reach the Millennium Development Goals.  UNDP also commissions the annual Human Development Report. The justice sector programme of UNDP is concerned with the independence, impartiality and fairness of judges, legal literacy, legal aid, pro-poor laws and civic participation in legal and judicial reform. Click here to see more about UNDP's activities on justice and human rights.


The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) is the United Nations entity mandated to assist intergovernmental, governmental and non governmental organizations in their efforts to formulate and implement improved policies in the field of crime prevention and justice administration. The Institute acts with its partners in the international community to advance the understanding of crime-related problems, to foster just and efficient criminal justice systems as well as to strengthen the respect of the international standards and norms in the field of criminal justice. The Justice, Protection and Ethics Unit (JPE) embraces projects pertaining to juvenile justice, treatment of offenders, prevention of violence against women and countering corruption. In particular in the field of juvenile justice, the JPE Unit assists member states in the formulation and implementation of effective national juvenile justice policies to strengthen and protect children rights. Click here to see more about UNICRI s activities on criminal justice reform and juvenile justice.


The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) carries out activities in international crime prevention and control by strengthening regional and international cooperation to prevent and combat transnational crime. The Office also promotes crime prevention strategies and the fair and effective administration of justice, with due respect for the rights of all those affected by crime or involved in the criminal justice system. In particular, the Criminal Justice Reform Unit (CJRU) assists states in building the capacity of their justice systems to operate more effectively within the framework of the rule of law and in accordance with international standards and norms. CJRU focuses particular attention upon special or vulnerable populations such as women and children. CJRU serves developing and post-conflict countries, as well as countries in transition. Click here to see more about UNODC's activities on criminal justice reform and juvenile justice.


The Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by its State parties. It also monitors implementation of two optional protocols to the Convention, on involvement of children in armed conflict and on sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. All States parties are obliged to submit regular reports to the Committee on how the rights are being implemented. States must report initially two years after acceding to the Convention and then every five years. The Committee examines each report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State party in the form of "Concluding Observations." The Committee works actively with various stakeholders such as OHCHR, UNICEF and NGOs to facilitate improved implementation and follow-up to its recommendations arising from the monitoring process. The Committee also publishes its interpretation of the content of human rights provisions, known as "General Comments" on thematic issues and organizes "Days of General Discussion" to foster a deeper understanding of the Convention. In 2007, the Committee adopted a General Comment on "Children's rights in juvenile justice" that provides guidance and recommendations to State parties on the content of a comprehensive juvenile justice policy.




The International Association of Youth and Family Judges and Magistrates (IAYFJM) is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) with consultative status at the United Nations and Council of Europe. It has members in 82 countries, including national associations and individuals (judges, magistrates and professionals concerned with youth and family justice and welfare). Its main objectives are to: establish links between judges, magistrates and specialists from all over the world; study the problems raised by judicial authorities and organisations for the protection of youth and the family; examine legislation designed for the protection of youth and the family; encourage research into the causes of criminal behaviour and the maladjustment of youth, prevention and rehabilitation programmes; promote awareness and implementation of children’s rights; encourage collaboration between States and competent authorities with regard to migrant children and their families; and collaborate with international associations concerned with the protection of youth and the family. IAYFJM organises a world congress every four years and publishes a Chronicle in English, French and Spanish twice a year. Click here to see more about IAYFJM.


The International Juvenile Justice Observatory (IJJO) is a Belgian Public Utility Foundation whose mission is to bring an international and inter-disciplinary vision to juvenile justice in order to create a future for minors and young people who are in situations of exclusion. IJJO’s main objectives include, amongst others: the creation of a permanent international forum for analysis, information and reflection to tackle juvenile delinquency; the creation of an international network of juvenile justice experts; the establishment of good practice codes; the creation of an international network of juvenile justice observers; sensitisation of public opinion on issues relating to children in conflict with the law; stimulating research on juvenile justice and providing technical assistance to developing countries on juvenile justice legal reform. It contributes efficient strategies which promote the international development of appropriate policies, legislations and methods of intervention within the context of a “global juvenile justice without borders”. It provides an information and communication service, including a database of juvenile justice resources and events via its website and organises international conferences to analyse and exchange knowledge about legislations, intervention models and research related to juvenile delinquency. Click here to see more about IJJO's activities on juvenile justice.


Penal Reform International (PRI) is an international NGO working on penal and criminal justice reform worldwide. PRI has regional programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the South Caucasus and North America. PRI's work places considerable emphasis on juvenile justice reform and ensuring that the treatment of children in conflict with the law complies with international human rights standards. This involves diverting children from the adult criminal justice system, promoting alternative sanctions to imprisonment and, where imprisonment is used, improving conditions of detention. In the Middle East and North Africa region, PRI is implementing a juvenile justice programme in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Yemen, with a particular focus on restorative justice approaches. In Romania and Bulgaria, PRI works to achieve equal treatment in the justice system for Roma children, children under the protection of the state and young people at risk of drug abuse who are serving prison terms. In the South Caucasus region, PRI provided materials and expert support to NGOs working with young probationers. In Malawi, Benin, Kenya and Uganda, PRI developed paralegal advisory services that provide legal assistance to children taken into police custody. PRI also collaborated with UNICEF to publish a Juvenile Justice Training Manual for policy-makers and practitioners available in both Arabic and English. Click here to see more about PRI's activities on child justice.


Terre des hommes Foundation - child relief (Tdh) was founded in 1960 by Edmond Kaiser.  Since its creation, the mission of Terre des hommes has been to come to the aid of children. It endeavours at all times to defend the rights of children, in times of war or natural catastrophe, or in less publicised situations of distress. Over the last forty years, Terre des hommes has specialised in three areas of expertise: health, social care and protection, and the rights of the child. In the area of the rights of the child, Terre des hommes provides legal support to minors in conflict with the law, organises training for those involved in the Justice system (judges, lawyers, police officers, youth and social workers, etc.), and works among political and judicial authorities by campaigning for the respect and application of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Click here to see more about Terre des hommes' activities on children in conflict with the law.

The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) defends children against torture and other forms of violence, through prevention, denunciation, reparation and advocacy. OMCT issues "Child Concern" urgent appeals that may fall within the scope of juvenile justice. OMCT also submits alternative reports to UN Treaty Bodies (Committee on the Rights of the Child, Human Rights Committee and Committee Against Torture) focusing on violence against children, which includes child justice. Finally, OMCT advocates for improved protection of children from violence, particularly children involved in the penal system, before international, regional and national mechanisms. Click here to see more about OMCT's activities on child justice.