On International Children’s Day, the Coalition of NGOs for Child Protection (KOMF) and Terre des Hommes in Kosovo launched the campaign “Justice That Sees the Child,” warning that the number of children, particularly those under the age of 14, coming into conflict with the law has increased.

KOMF Executive Director Donjeta Sadiku said the campaign aims to raise awareness and prevent children from coming into conflict with the law.

According to Sadiku, recent years have seen a rise in cases involving children under the age of 14 who are in conflict with the law.

She stressed that children who break the law should be treated with dignity.

“Legislation is aligned with international standards and practices in the field of juvenile justice. However, based on our research, what lawmakers and the law have envisioned is not always implemented in practice and in the best interests of the child. In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of children involved in offenses and conflicts with the law, especially those under the age of 14. Services aimed at empowering children and preventing them from coming into conflict with the law are almost non-existent for this age group. The effective implementation of diversion measures also remains challenging. In recent years, there has been a decline in the use of diversion measures for juveniles in conflict with the law, partly because many offenses are committed before the age of 14, making such measures less appropriate,” she said.

Fjolla Hoxha from Terre des Hommes said the campaign is a call for a rehabilitative, protective and educational approach toward children.

“Juvenile justice is not measured by the severity of punishment, but by our ability to reintegrate and resocialize children into society. This campaign aims to remind everyone that the approach toward minors should be rehabilitative, protective and educational,” Hoxha said.

Deputy Chairperson of the Kosovo Judicial Council, Arjeta Sadiku, emphasized that children must be treated with dignity and highlighted steps taken by the council in this regard.

“This campaign sends a clear message that every child should be treated with dignity, with a focus on rehabilitation and their future. The Kosovo Judicial Council remains committed to building a child-friendly judicial system in line with the highest international standards. For this reason, we have taken concrete steps, including the establishment of child-friendly rooms in courts so that children do not feel intimidated or exposed during judicial proceedings,” she said.

Acting Chief State Prosecutor Agron Qalaj said institutions have an obligation to create real opportunities for the rehabilitation of children who have violated the law.

Meanwhile, Acting Ombudsperson Naim Qelaj stressed the need to focus on preventing children from coming into conflict with the law.

International Children’s Day is marked every year on June 1.

The day was proclaimed International Children’s Day at the World Conference on Child Welfare in 1925 in Geneva, Switzerland.

At that time, 54 participating states adopted the Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child.