The law governing children’s rights is part of international human rights law and therefore plays an important role in the protection of human rights. However, the effectiveness of the protection of children’s rights depends on a State’s compliance with children’s rights instruments and the implementation mechanisms within a given State. There are implementation mechanisms for the protection of children’s rights at the national, regional and international levels. The protection of children’s rights at these three levels is provided for by children’s rights instruments. The monitoring of particular implementation mechanisms with regard to children’s rights is effected by reporting processes through State Parties to domestic institutions, regional, and international organisations. The reports provided by States Parties must contain relevant information with regard to measures that States Parties have taken to implement children’s rights instruments. Inadequate implementation mechanisms for the protection of children’s rights have emerged as the greatest threat to the realisation of children’s rights. This means that the adoption of children’s rights instruments may yield results only when effective implementation steps are taken by the respective States Parties. There are four “cornerstone” principles that underpin the protection of children’s rights.1 These are: non-discrimination; the best interest of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and respect for the views of the child.2 This study will evaluate the right to education and the best interests of the child principle as covered in children’s rights instruments at regional and international levels.Education is a powerful tool in ensuring the protection and enjoyment of children’s rights. Therefore, ineffective implementation of the right to education may have adverse consequences for society. The best interest of the child principle is the guiding principle in all matters concerning children’s rights.3 Therefore, the application and effectiveness of the best interests of the child principle will ensure adequate protection of children’s rights. Further, the study will examine the right to education and the best interest of the child in order to demonstrate how the United Nations (UN) and regional human rights instruments have provided for their implementation. Ratification of children’s rights instruments is a symbolic gesture on the part of States Parties to the recognition and significance of protection of children’s rights. The compliance with children rights instruments or treaty obligations is crucial to ensure adequate protection of children’s rights. Thus, non-compliance with treaty obligations will have a negative impact on the protection of children’s rights. The evaluation of the right to education and the best interests of the child principle will be undertaken against the backdrop of children’s rights instruments. The children’s rights instruments are provided for by the United Nations (UN) and regional human rights systems. The dissertation will evaluate the right to education and the best interests of the child principle within three regional systems, namely, the European Union (EU), the Organisation of American States (OAS), and the African Union (AU). It will also examine pertinent case law within the three regional systems. Finally, the efficacy of implementation mechanisms for the enforcement of children’s rights will be assessed. / Public, Constitutional, & International Law / LLM

The study provides a brief overview of the most important legal instruments in the international, regional and national framework on the development and promotion of children’s rights. Basically, it examines the continuous and pervasive violation of children’s rights despite the progressive instruments that have been adopted to ensure the proper and effective realization of these rights. It focuses on three different countries in Africa: South Africa, Ethiopia and Nigeria because of the value-laden nature of the progressive laws adopted by these countries in the protection of children’s rights. Specific roles and actions taken by international, regional and national monitoring bodies are highlighted to indicate their effectiveness in promoting and fulfilling rights for children. Country reports on the situation of children are examined in the context of realization of salient rights for children amidst the different judicial, political and socio-cultural settings. Emerging judgments and judicial developments that have limited and advanced the realization of rights for children in the specific country context were explored. Conclusions and recommendations are made. / Public, Constitutional, & International Law / LLM

Esta investigação tem por objetivo analisar o significado e o sentido que “reincidentes” na Medida Socioeducativa de Internação paranaenses dão para a reincidência e a maneira pela qual reincidiram. Trata-se de uma abordagem qualiquantitativa, exploratória e descritiva, operacionalizada por meio da pesquisa bibliográfica e documental e da entrevista semi-estruturada. A orientação teóricometodológica de base empírica e documental que ilumina os procedimentos lógicos seguidos é a hermenêutica-dialética. A pesquisa descreve e contextualiza os principais instrumentos jurídico-normativos e teórico-praticos que atualmente regulamentam e informam, no Estado do Paraná, o tipo de intervenção estatal consubstanciada nas instituições, políticas, práticas profissionais e agentes especializados que compõem o Sistema Estadual de Atendimento Socioeducativo, apontado a conservação de uma estrutura material e institucional distintiva da modernidade penal, encoberta sob a perspectiva de uma “infância universal” e operacionalizada por um pretenso “reordenamento político-institucional” que ampliou o uso do encarceramento como resposta institucional à violência e à criminalidade juvenil partindo, primeiramente, da ideia de “reinserção” e, depois, de “prevenção” e gestão dos “fatores de risco”. Os resultados apontam uma seletividade penal focada na distinção de raça e classe, onde os “reincidentes” na Medida Socioeducativa de Internação representam 17,5% do total de adolescentes em “cumprimento” desta mesma Medida. Trata-se de jovens (92,7% entre 16 e 18 anos) não-brancos (61,8%), do sexo masculino (98,2%), com pouca escolaridade (74,5% na Fase II do Ensino Fundamental), excluídos do mercado de trabalho (81%), provenientes de famílias despossuídas (49% recebem entre 1 e 2 salários mínimos) e dos territórios precarizados dos grandes centros urbanos (80%). A “natureza” dos atos infracionais atribuídos aos “reincidentes” confirma a predominância de uma “criminalidade de rua” (76,3%) com destaque para os atos infracionais tipificados como crimes contra o patrimônio (roubo: 41,2%) e contra a incolumidade pública (tráfico de drogas: 21,4%). A chamada “criminalidade violenta” (crimes contra a pessoa) equivale a 13,4% de todos os atos infracionais atribuídos aos “reincidentes”. A investigação desvela que a privação de liberdade impede o acesso dos sujeitos a processos de socialização, pertencimento, reconhecimento e alteridade necessários à sua emancipação. Privilegiando a entrevista com “informantes-chave” e a constituição de suas trajetórias, vivências e experiências (tanto na relação com as instituições e organizações sociais quanto com as instituições de privação de liberdade), a investigação ratifica que a privação de liberdade, além de retirar o sujeito de seus círculos de relacionamentos e sistemas de trocas simbólicas, impedindo seu desenvolvimento pleno, reproduz injustiças sociais e estigmatizações, causando sofrimento inútil, alienação, controle, segregação e neutralização. / This research aims to analyze the meaning and the sense that "recidivists" in Measure Socioeducative of deprivation of liberty paranaenses give to the recidivism and the manner in which they relapsed. This is a qualitative and quantitative, exploratory and descriptive approach, operationalized through the bibliographical and documentary research and through the semi-structured interview. The theoretical and methodological, empirical and documentary guidance that illuminates the logical procedures followed is the hermeneutics-dialectics. The research describes and contextualizes the main legal-normative and theoretical-practical instruments that currently regulates and inform, in the State of Paraná, the type of state intervention consubstantiated in institutions, policies, professional practices and specialized agents that comprise the Socioeducative System of the State of Paraná, pointing out conservation of a institutional and material structure of the penal modernity, hidden from the perspective of a "universal childhood" and operated by an alleged "politicalinstitutional reorganization" which extended the use of imprisonment as an a institutional response to the juvenile violence and crime, starting, first, of the idea of "resocialization" and, then of the ideas of "prevention" and management of "risk factors". The results indicate a criminal selectivity focused on race distinction and on class distinction, where the "recidivists" on Measure Socioeducative of deprivation of liberty represent 17.5% of adolescents in "fulfillment" of that same Measure Socioeducative. It is young (92.7% between 16 and 18 years) non-whites (61.8%), male (98.2%), with low education (74.5% in Phase II of the Elementary School ), excluded from the labor market (81%), from dispossessed families (49% receive between 1 and 2 minimum wages) and of precarious areas of large urban centers (80%). The "nature" of the infractions attributed to the "recidivists" confirms the predominance of a "street criminality" (76.3%) highlighting the illegal acts typified as crimes against property (robbery: 41.2%) and against public safety (drug trafficking: 21.4%). The so-called "violent crimes" (crimes against persons) equals to 13.4% of all infractions attributed to the "recidivists". The research shows that deprivation of freedom prevents access of individuals to the socialization processes, belonging, recognition and otherness necessary for their emancipation. Privileging the interview with "key informants" and the constitution of their trajectories and life experiences (both in relation to the institutions and social organizations and with the institutions of deprivation of liberty), the research confirms that the deprivation of liberty, besides withdraw the subject of the your circles of relationships and of the your symbolic exchanges systems, preventing their full development, reproduces social injustices and stigmatization, causing suffering unnecessary, alienation, control, segregation and neutralization.

In this project the various International Instruments, namely the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child, 1989, the Beijing Rules and the African Charter, relating to the protection of the rights of children were discussed focusing on the rights of children in conflict with the law. The important guidelines regarding the establishment of a minimum age for criminal capacity, detention, legal representation, diversion, sentencing, pre-sentence reports, child justice Courts and the confidentiality of children’s Court hearings were highlighted. The current positions in South African law with regard to these issues were discussed and the proposed provisions in the Child Justice Bill, 49 of 2002 were furnished. The research included all the magistrates in Gauteng that were in service during February 2003 and March 2003. Throughout the project the important role that forensic criminologists can and should play in a juvenile justice system was highlighted. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A.

The aim of this explorative study is to establish if psychiatric disorders influence the criminal capacity of child offenders. A qualitative approach was adopted in the study to develop an in-depth understanding of the issues pertaining to criminal capacity assessments for child offenders with psychiatric disorders. The risks associated with various psychiatric disorders in relation to childhood criminality, and the methods that are used to deal with child offenders who suffer from psychiatric disorders, were also explored. The data collection tool for this study was a semi-structured interview schedule. Telephonic and face-to-face interviews were conducted with child justice and mental health experts from four provinces in South Africa, namely, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Western Cape. These experts included psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, academic professors of law, a criminologist and an advocate. Snowball sampling was employed and although this is a pure qualitative study, the open coding, axial coding and selective coding process from the grounded theory was applied to analyse and interpret the data. The findings from this study indicate that psychiatric disorders are a risk factor associated with the causation of criminal behaviour. A high prevalence of psychiatric disorders, such as intellectual disability, learning disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder, were generally found in children in conflict with the law. The influence and consequences of these psychiatric disorders, in conjunction with environmental and societal factors, were found to influence criminal behaviour and were highlighted as factors that ought to be taken into consideration when determining the criminal capacity of a child who is in conflict with the law. Findings from the study identified that adequate recognition was not granted to the influence of a psychiatric disorder in the assessment of a child‟s criminal capacity. It was established that, in the criminal capacity assessment, the emphasis should not be on the psychiatric disorder per se, but on the effect that the disorder and associated symptoms may have on the child‟s ability to distinguish between the wrongfulness of their actions and to act in accordance with this understanding. Operational challenges and ambiguities identified in the legislative framework pertaining to child offenders with psychiatric disorders were found to negatively influence criminal capacity assessments for children in conflict with the law. The lack of services available to child offenders with psychiatric disorders, as well as child offenders without psychiatric disorders, was found to hamper the best interest of the children in conflict with the law. Lastly, legislative and service recommendations for good practice to deal with child offenders with psychiatric disorder were identified by the experts. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Criminology)

The following is a study and comparison of the various types of surrogacy currently being implemented locally and internationally and the laws surrounding it. I discuss the current South African legal framework on surrogacy and summarise the relevant legislative provisions whilst also further discussing the provisions prohibiting commercial surrogacy and the reasons behind them. Thereafter an investigation follows into other counties in respect of their individual laws regulating surrogacy and more specifically, commercial surrogacy. I discuss how these countries attempted to regulate commercial surrogacy and which regulations were a success and which weren‘t. The various international laws and regulations surrounding surrogacy as well as commercial surrogacy is then compared and discussed in a South African context. A discussion on the intertwined constitutional rights of the surrogate mother, commissioning parents and child follows and in conclusion I offer some recommendations on how to go about legalising commercial surrogacy safely and successfully implementing it free from exploitation. / Private Law / LL.M. (Specialisation in Private Law)

This study explores the international obligations of the European Union to the unaccompanied asylum-seeking and refugee child. In doing so, it involves an investigation into the concept and content of durable solutions for the refugee child. As such, it analyses the effect of the temporary European relocation scheme in the search for durable solutions. To that end, it engages a comprehensive explanation of the relevant refugee law, the law of the rights of the child and the European legislative framework governing the reception and protection of refugees. Cumulatively, an assessment is made as to the effectiveness of the durable solutions that currently exist. This study seeks to establish whether, in an attempt to relieve the pressure from the frontline member states by creating a system for effective integration, Europe encourages the development of a children’s rights perspective and ultimately, provides a path for the unaccompanied child’s development and self-fulfilment. / Public, Constitutional and International Law / LL. M.

In this project the various International Instruments, namely the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child; 1989, the Beijing Rules and the African Charter, relating to the guidelines of the establishment of a minimum age for criminal capacity are furnished. The developments regarding the issue of criminal capacity since 1998 in Australia, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong are highlighted. The historical position and the current position in South African law with regard to the issue of criminal capacity are discussed as well as the implementation thereof by our courts. The statistics on children under 14 years in prison over the past five years are furnished. The introduction of the Child Justice Bill, 2002 by Parliament and the deliberations following the introduction, focusing on the issue of criminal capacity is highlighted. The proposed provisions of the Child Justice Bill, 49 of 2002 codifying the present common law presumptions and the raising of the minimum age for criminal capacity are furnished. The evaluation of criminal capacity and the important factors to be assessed are discussed as provided for in the Child Justice Bill, 49 of 2002. A practical illustration of a case where the criminal capacity of a child offender was considered by the court is, discussed and other important developmental factors that should also be taken into consideration by the court are identified and discussed. Important issues relating to criminal capacity, namely, time and number of assessments, testimonial competency of the child offender, evolving capacities and age determination are discussed and possible problems identified and some solutions offered. The research included an 11-question questionnaire to various professionals working in field of child justice regarding the issue of criminal capacity and the evaluation thereof. / Criminal and Procedural law / D.Litt. et Phil. (Criminology)

Text in Afrikaans / In this dissertation the legal position with regard to children as victims of sexual crimes is examined in South Africa, England, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Sexual crimes with children are a serious and widespread international problem. The purpose of this study is to identify deficiencies / gaps in the South African law. Children are not only the victims of the sexual crimes, but they are exposed to further trauma whilst giving evidence. Their best interests are also often not taken into proper consideration during the sentencing phase. In is in the interest of justice that children=s interests must be taken into account the whole time. In terms of international conventions and charters State parties are required to protect children against all forms of discrimination, violence, abuse and exploitation. Children may not be exposed to any sexual crimes, because these activities violate their right to bodily (and psychological) integrity, human dignity and privacy. In order to acknowledge the importance of children=s best interest, priority must be given to all cases in which children are the victims and their unique characteristics, age and development must be taken into consideration. This will ensure that they are not further victimized during the trial. Deficiencies in the Criminal Law are addressed by proposing new definitions, for instance for rape and incest. Shortcomings in the Procedural Law are identified and recommendations are made especially with regard to the alternative measures by which children can testify. Guidelines are also suggested for admissible cross-examination. New sentencing options are recommended and possible aggravating circumstances which ought to play a role during the consideration of a suitable and just sentence for sexual crimes with children are suggested. / Criminal and Procedural Law / LL.D.

In this study focus is placed on the Impact of the Namibian judiciary system on the sexually-abused child witness and recommendations were made to criminal justice professionals. A literature study was undertaken to establish a grounded theoretical perspective. A single case study was done to evaluate how the Gestalt Play Therapy Process can be applied to mitigate some of the negative effects the judicial system has on the child witness. An empirical study was done and a qualitative approach was utilised. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with children, their parents and criminal justice professionals. Major findings of this study are that the Namibian criminal justice system leads to further traumatization of the sexually-abused child witness and that the Gestalt Play Therapy approach can be applied to make the court proceedings less traumatic and even therapeutic for the child witness. Recommendations were formulated for criminal justice professionals / In hierdie verhandeling is gefokus op die impak van die Namibiese regstelsel op die seksueel-misbruikte kindergetuie en daar word aanbevelings gedoen aan professionele persone in die kriminele regstelsel. 'n Literatuurstudie is gedoen om 'n grondige toeretiese perspektief daar te stel. 'n Enkele gevallestudie is uitgevoer om te evalueer hoe die Gestalt Spelterapieproses toegepas kan word om die hofverrigtinge vir die kind minder traumaties te maak. 'n Empiriese studie is gedoen en 'n kwalitatiewe benadering is gebruik. Semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude is gevoer met kinders, hulle ouers en professionele persone wat met seksueel-misbruikte kindergetuies werk. In die studie is bevind dat die Namibiese regstelsel addisionele trauma veroorsaak vir die kindergetuie en dat die Getaltspelterapiebenadering gebruik kan word om die hofervaring minder traumaties en selfs terapeuties te kan maak vir die kindergetuie. Aanbevelings is gedoen aan professionele persone wat met kindergetuies werk. / Social work / M.Diac. (Play Therapy)