Today, Justice Minister Nela Kuburović welcomed the UNICEF Representative in Serbia Michel Saint-Lot in his farewell visit during which it was noted that the cooperation in the protection of the rights of child between the Ministry of Justice and UNICEF was long-standing and successful. Saint-Lot highlighted the Justice Ministry’s dedication to the protection of human rights and the rights of child, adding that the promotion of children’s rights in Serbia was heading in a good direction. He noted, however, that more progress was required, especially with respect to the protection of children from violence and forced marriages.
The Justice Minister said that the Council for Domestic Violence Prevention, which had been formed by the Government pursuant to the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, would be paying greater attention to children who were victims of domestic violence in the upcoming period, by way of keeping precise records and by having the relevant authorities process those cases. She noted that the new Minors Offenders Bill was being drafted which, together with the amendments to procedural laws, would further improve the status and the rights of children whether they are witnesses or offenders in the court proceedings.
The interlocutors concurred that there were many areas for cooperation between the Justice Ministry and UNICEF, saying they were certain the cooperation would remain strong and successful in the following period.