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April 2005 Cambodians visit juvenile justice centres
Senior Cambodian Government and aid organisation representatives recently visited Victoria’s Juvenile Justice Branch, three juvenile justice centres and a regional juvenile justice program as part of a study tour hosted by the Victorian Department of Justice. The delegates are members of the Cambodian National Council for Children (CNCC), an inter-ministerial body developed to promote, coordinate and monitor policies to support the rights of children. The delegates were Ministry of Justice Secretary of State Y Dan, Ministry of Justice Under Secretary of State Ith Rady, Sakhoeurn Savady of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Dr Phon Bunthal of the Ministry of Interior, Kong Chhan of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veteran’s Affairs and Youth Rehabilitation, AusAID’s Yan Sokha and Keo Sokea and Ms Ana Janet Sunga from the United Nations children’s fund (UNICEF). The UNICEF-sponsored visit was part of a study tour for representatives of the CNCC sub-commission and working group developing draft law for juvenile justice in Cambodia. Victoria was chosen for its reputation for diversion strategies, restorative justice programs and progressive laws that are in line with international standards. As well as visiting the Melbourne Juvenile Justice Centre, Malmsbury Juvenile Justice Centre and Parkville Youth Residential Centre, the delegates visited Eastern Metropolitan Region’s Juvenile Justice Unit and Department of Justice facilities and met with a range of senior representatives from both the Departments of Human Services and Justice. The visit provided an opportunity to share ideas and showcase Victoria’s internationally-regarded and progressive juvenile justice system. |
