A discussion organised in partnership with the Department of Judicial Administration and the Judicial Academy.
A panel discussion on “The role of Judges in ensuring Access to Justice for Children” was held on 27 February 2022 via Zoom. The panel discussion was attended by Maldivian judges including Magistrates, Chief Magistrates and Regional Magistrates, as well as Judges of the Criminal, Family, Drug and Juvenile Courts. The panel discussion was preceded by expert presentations which sought to unpack key international standards and principles relevant to child-friendly justice, such as the upper guardianship of the court and the best interests of the child, and to discuss issues that judges face when seeking to uphold child-friendly justice. Thereafter, the panel discussion explored the role of the judge in ensuring child-friendly justice and how judges can respond to issues they may face in this regard, institutionally and individually.
The expert presenters and panellists for this discussion were Savitri Goonesekere, Emeritus Professor of Law, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; and Justice Muhammad Imman Ali of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. Both experts drew from their extensive experience and expertise, referring to both international and domestic standards while also providing practical advice for judges for their day-to-day work. This was followed by an opportunity for participants to ask questions from the experts, which led to some very interesting and insightful conversations.
Johannes Krusemark-Camin, Managaing Director of the Foundation, delivered opening remarks. The panel discussion concluded with closing remarks by Azhath Rushdhee, Director of the Judicial Academy of the Maldives.
This was the second in a series of four panel discussions which aim to focus on the role played by judges in ensuring access to justice for vulnerable groups in the Maldives.