The Fundamental Rights Agency of the European Union (FRA) has just published its new report on "Child-friendly justice: Perspectives and experiences of children involved in judicial proceedings as victims, witnesses or parties" in nine EU Member States (Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, France, Germany, Poland, Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom).
FRA investigated to what extent children’s rights to be heard, to be informed, to be protected, and to non-discrimination are fulfilled in practice. This included extensive interviews with both professionals and children involved in judicial proceedings. The first report presented professionals’ views. The current report, focuses on the perspectives of children, outlining their views on factors that impede their full participation and on efforts that can help overcome such barriers. Like the first report, it underscores that much remains to be done to make justice across the EU truly child-friendly.