The Federal Judicial Academy and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to collaborate on accelerating justice within the child rights agenda in Pakistan.
The MoU, signed by Hayat Ali Shah, Director General, FJA and Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, emphasizes that access to justice is a fundamental right of every child for ensuring fair treatment, protection, and appropriate legal representation whether as victims, witnesses or alleged/recognized offenders. It is essential for children’s well-being and development.
“Being premier judicial education institution, FJA is striving to improve service delivery by ensuring accessibility and predictability. The collaborative engagement with UNICEF is likely to sensitize Judges about rights of children in contact with law,” said Hayat Ali Shah, Director General, FJA.
According to UNICEF’s Global Reimagine Justice for Children Agenda, children should: know and claim their rights; be able to access free legal aid, representation, and services; be diverted for those in conflict with the law; be protected from detention; receive justice for survivors of violence, abuse, or exploitation; and access alternative dispute-resolution mechanisms and child-friendly courts.
