UN Human Rights Guidelines for Preventing Juvenile Delinquency: Riyadh Guidelines, Study Guides, Projects, Research of History of International Relations

Download UN Human Rights Guidelines for Preventing Juvenile Delinquency: Riyadh Guidelines and more Study Guides, Projects, Research History of International Relations in PDF only on Docsity! United Nations Human Rights Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (The Riyadh Guidelines) --A Policy Analysis-- This paper is to be submitted to Dr. Nora P. Legaspi A faculty and professor in the Department of Liberal Arts at Western Institute of Technology As a Pre-final requirement in the course of PS312 - Intro to Political Analysis Group Members: Gabinete, Charmy Ann Andea, Angelica Inarsolin, Ylla Marie Mosquera, Raymund 1. Introduction Hardly reported on the news, Juvenile delinquency may seem that it is not a serious problem however, unsurprisingly, Juvenile delinquency has been a major concern to policymakers since the 1950s. Statistical data in many countries show that delinquency is largely a group phenomenon. Accounts of juvenile offenders across the world and society's fear as a reaction to it have been steadily growing. States vary their approach on this problem since ages and quantities of minors differ necessarily. Both adolescence and the concept of juvenile delinquency are social constructs that vary by time and place. (Timmons-Mitchell,2021) It is a struggle to find international data in the form of officially listed contact of juveniles with formal institutions; they are often limited in their use for direct comparisons because of uninformed definitions and recording practices. Nevertheless, even with dissimilar definitions, results, and recording practices, it is universally agreed that Juvenile delinquency is a large threat to the general welfare of the country. There is growing concern that, in some countries, the proportion of violent crimes committed by youth has been increasing (UNODC & World Bank, 2007, p. 61). Since 1990 the United Nations has developed international conventions, rules, and guidelines that govern the rights of children, particularly as they relate to juvenile justice, and these guidelines have shaped, and continue to shape, juvenile justice processes across the globe. During its 68th plenary meeting, 14 December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency to be known as "the Riyadh Guidelines." The Riyadh Guidelines affirm the importance of reducing juvenile delinquency plays on reducing crime, the necessity of implementing the guidelines according to a child-centered approach, and the communal responsibility for children's well-being from the earliest ages onward (Save the Children, Resource Center). During the General Assembly, in its resolution 40/35 November 1985, the United Nations called for the development of standards for the prevention of juvenile delinquency which would assist the Member States in formulating and implementing specialized programs and policies, emphasizing assistance, care, and community involvement, and called upon the Economic and Social Council to report to the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders on the progress achieved concerning the standards, for review and action. The Policy recognizes the need to develop national, 2. Body There are 5 main concepts of the United Nations Human Rights Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (The Riyadh Guidelines), these are enumerated as the following: 1. The prevention of juvenile delinquency is a very essential step for the development of society, country and globally. 2. The need for and importance of progressive delinquency prevention policies and the systematic study and the elaboration of measures should be recognized. 3. The successful prevention of juvenile delinquency requires great efforts of the government, society and environment from childhood to adolescence. 3. Education and parental guidance is a crucial category to prevent juvenile delinquency. 5. The policy of Riyadh Guidelines aims on the well-being of young persons that should be the focus of any preventive programme. Under 5, part I, United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (The Riyadh Guidelines) there are 6 initial objects that the Policy is dealing upon: (a) The provision of opportunities, in particular educational opportunities, to meet the varying needs of young persons and to serve as a supportive framework for safeguarding the personal development of all young persons, particularly those who are demonstrably endangered or at social risk and are in need of special care and protection; (b) Specialized philosophies and approaches for delinquency prevention, on the basis of laws, processes, institutions, facilities and a service delivery network aimed at reducing the motivation, need and opportunity for, or conditions giving rise to, the commission of infractions; (c) Official intervention to be pursued primarily in the overall interest of the young person and guided by fairness and equity; (d) Safeguarding the well-being, development, nights and interests of all young persons; (e) Consideration that youthful behaviour or conduct that does not conform to overall social norms and values is often part of the maturation and growth process and tends to disappear spontaneously in most individuals with the transition to adulthood; (f) Awareness that, in the predominant opinion of experts, labelling a young person as "deviant", "delinquent" or "pre-delinquent" often contributes to the development of a consistent pattern of undesirable behaviour by young persons. (Retrieved from www.ohchr.org ) For the interpretation of the Riyadh Guidelines, a child-centered orientation should be pursued. Young persons should have an active role and partnership within society and should not be considered as mere objects of socialization or control. These are the Provisions that United Nations Human Rights Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (The Riyadh Guidelines) wishes to acquire: . The provision of opportunities, in particular educational opportunities, to meet the varying needs of young persons and to serve as a supportive framework for safeguarding the personal development of all young persons, particularly those who are demonstrably endangered or at social risk and require special care and protection; . Specialized philosophies and approaches for delinquency prevention, based on laws, processes, institutions, facilities, and a service delivery network aimed at reducing the motivation, need and opportunity for, or conditions giving rise to, the commission of infractions; . Official intervention to be pursued primarily in the overall interest of the young person and guided by fairness and equity; . Safeguarding the well-being, development, rights, and interests of all young persons; . The consideration that youthful behavior or conduct that does not conform to overall social norms and values is often part of the maturation and growth process and tends to disappear spontaneously in most individuals with the transition to adulthood, . Awareness that, in the predominant opinion of experts, labeling a young person as "deviant", "delinquent "or "pre-delinquent" often contributes to the development of a consistent pattern of undesirable behavior by young persons. (Got from * www.ohchr.org) 2a Socialization processes Emphasis should be placed on preventive policies facilitating the successful socialization and integration of all children and young persons, in particular through the family, the community, peer groups, schools, vocational training and the world of work, as well as through voluntary organizations. Due respect should be given to the proper personal development of children and young persons, and they should be accepted as full and equal partners in socialization and integration processes. a. Family Since the family is the central unit responsible for the primary socialization of children, governmental and social efforts to preserve the integrity of the family, including the extended family, should be pursued. The society has a responsibility to assist the family in providing care and protection and in ensuring the physical and mental well-being of children. Adequate arrangements including day-care should be provided. Community-based services and programmes which respond to the special needs, problems, interests and concerns of young persons and which offer appropriate counselling and guidance to young persons and their families should be developed, or strengthened where they exist. Communities should provide, or strengthen where they exist, a wide range of community-based support measures for young persons, including community development centres, recreational facilities and services to respond to the special problems of children who are at social risk. In providing these helping measures, respect for individual rights should be ensured. Youth organizations should be created or strengthened at the local level and given full participatory status in the management of community affairs. These organizations should encourage youth to organize collective and voluntary projects, particularly projects aimed at helping young persons in need of assistance. Government agencies should take special responsibility and provide necessary services for less or street children; information about local facilities, accommodation, employment and other forms and sources of help should be made readily available to young persons. A wide range of recreational facilities and services of particular interest to young persons should be established and made easily accessible to them. (OHCHR,1990) d. Mass media The mass media should be encouraged to ensure that young persons have access to information and material from a diversity of national and international sources. The mass media generally, and the television and film media in particular, should be encouraged to minimize the level of pornography, drugs and violence portrayed and to display violence and exploitation disfavourably, as well as to avoid demeaning and degrading presentations, especially of children, women and interpersonal relations, and to promote egalitarian principles and roles. (OHCHR,1990) 2.b Strengths And Weakness of Policy . Strength Strengths of this policy are as follows: Prevents the onset of delinquent behavior and supports the development of a youth's assets and resilience, community programs are less costly, less disruptive to families and have the potential to address the youths’ delinquency in the natural contexts in which it is likely to occur. They will be more inclined in education by studying and researching, making them more educated, safer from bad people and more vigilant to their surroundings. It can possibly stop the “cradle to prison pipeline” and heightens social responsibility. . Weakness If there’s strengths in this policy, there’s also weaknesses, and these are: Children will be spending more time at home, reducing their chances of socializing and making new friends. They will also be afraid of the policemen instead of feeling safe whenever they are around. They will also be less physically active, especially in sports and other physical activities. Sending the youth to time behind bars can have negative impacts on the adolescents’ life after spending years behind bars because the juvenile is subject to more severe sentences, including life sentences. 3. Conclusion This brief review of research indicates that a popular opinion about family impact is wrong: parental absence is not importantly related to juvenile delinquency. Family interactions have greater influence on delinquency. Children reared by competent, affectionate parents who avoid using physical forms of punishment are unlikely to commit serious crimes either as juveniles or as adults. On the other hand, children reared by parents who neglect or reject them are likely to be greatly influenced by their community environments, which may offer opportunities and encouragement for criminal behavior. The issue of juvenile delinquency is a serious issue in our society today which requires more attention since it determines the values of the next generation. Thus this proves that the government and all other agencies and association who have a role to play in solving this issue do so and with a lot of diligence. Parents and the society at large also have a duty and role to play in solving this menace. Juvenile delinquency should be prevented before it spills over to a level whereby it will be too late to do something about it