Title:
Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Belarus No. P-704/2012 of 17 May 2012 on the constitutionality of the Law “On amendments and additions to some laws of the Republic of Belarus on the prevention of child neglect and juvenile delinquency”
Court:
Constitutional Court of the Republic of Belarus
Date:
17 May 2012
CRC provisions:
Article 27: Standard of living
Article 37: Torture and deprivation of liberty
Other international provisions:
UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (“Beijing Rules”), 1985.
UN Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (“Riyadh Guidelines”), 1990.
Domestic provisions:
Constitution of the Republic of Belarus
Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus
Law of the Republic of Belarus “On amendments and addenda to some laws of the Republic of Belarus on the issues of prevention of child neglect and juvenile delinquency”
Law of the Republic of Belarus “On the Rights of the Child”
Law of the Republic of Belarus “On prevention of child neglect and juvenile delinquency”
Civil Procedure Code of the Republic of Belarus
The Code of Administrative Offences
Procedural-Executive Code of Administrative Offences
Code of the Republic of Belarus on Education
Law of the Republic of Belarus “On State Youth Policy”
Case summary:
Background:
The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Belarus on the basis of Section 116 of the Constitution and paragraphs 1 and 3 of the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 14 of 26 June 2008 “On some measures to improve the functioning of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Belarus” is obliged to conduct a preliminary review of the constitutionality of draft laws. This decision concerns the Law “On amendments and additions to some laws of the Republic of Belarus on the prevention of child neglect and juvenile delinquency.”
Issue and resolution:
Curfew for minors / juvenile justice. The Court concluded that the Law “On amendments and additions to some laws of the Republic of Belarus on the prevention of child neglect and juvenile delinquency” is constitutional and issued a set of recommendations to law enforcers.
Court reasoning:
After reviewing the Law “On amendments and additions to some laws of the Republic of Belarus on the prevention of child neglect and juvenile delinquency” (“Law”), the Constitutional Court made the following observations and recommendations:
The Law bans minors under the age of 16 years (except for minors who have full legal capacity) from being present in public places without adult supervision between 11 pm and 6 am and establishes the administrative liability of parents who fail to accompany their children in public places during these hours. According to the Court, such measures are justified and meet the provisions of the Constitution, according to which the limitation of rights and liberties shall be permitted only in cases stipulated by law and in the interest of public order. The Constitutional Court noted that the curfew is aimed at improving the safety of children and adolescents, strengthening safeguards to protect their life and health, and the prevention of their involvement in the commission of crimes and other socially dangerous acts. Therefore, it is a justified restriction of the constitutional rights to liberty and freedom of movement.
According to the Law, if a child under the age of 16 breaches the curfew, they must be transferred to a parent, guardian or caregiver. In case such person cannot be found, the child will be placed in a socio-educational centre. The Constitutional Court noted that circumstances of unaccompanied child should be inspected as soon as possible and parents or guardians immediately notified. Children should be transferred to a socio-educational centre only in exceptional cases where their parents or legal guardians cannot be found or where the child has previously committed an administrative offence (such as hooliganism, damage to property etc.) three times or more. Such temporary detention of children can be applied only if consistent with the constitutional right to freedom from cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
According UN standards in the field of juvenile justice, any deprivation of liberty (including a placement in an educational-correctional institution) should only be used as a measure of last resort and for the shortest time possible. The Court noted that these principles are observed by the provisions listed in the Law “On prevention of child neglect and juvenile delinquency”, according to which the placement of a minor to special educational institution or special medical and educational institution is established by the court and cannot exceed the period of two years.
Excerpts citing CRC and other relevant human rights instruments:
In Russian language:
“Предусматриваемые Законом меры согласуются с положениями статьи 27 Конвенции о правах ребенка, принятой 20 ноября 1989 года резолюцией 44/25 Генеральной Ассамблеи ООН, в соответствии с которыми родитель(и) или другие лица, воспитывающие ребенка, несут основную ответственность за обеспечение в пределах своих способностей и финансовых возможностей условий жизни, необходимых для развития ребенка.”
“Согласно международным стандартам и нормам ООН в области правосудия в отношении несовершеннолетних какое-либо лишение свободы (включая помещение в воспитательно-исправительное учреждение) следует осуществлять в качестве крайней меры и на минимально необходимый срок (пункт “b” статьи 37 Конвенции о правах ребенка, статья 46 Эр-Риядских руководящих принципов, правило 19.1 Пекинских правил).”
“Согласно Минимальным стандартным правилам ООН, касающимся отправления правосудия в отношении несовершеннолетних (Пекинские правила), принятым 29 ноября 1985 года резолюцией 40/33 Генеральной Ассамблеи ООН, государства – члены ООН должны стремиться к созданию условий, позволяющих обеспечить содержательную жизнь подростка в обществе, которая, в тот период жизни, когда она или он наиболее склонны к неправильному поведению, будет благоприятствовать процессу развития личности и получения образования, в максимальной степени свободному от возможности совершения преступлений и правонарушений (правило 1.2).”
“Нормативные предписания Закона согласуются с Руководящими принципами ООН для предупреждения преступности среди несовершеннолетних (Эр-Риядские руководящие принципы), принятыми 14 декабря 1990 года резолюцией 45/112 Генеральной Ассамблеи ООН, в соответствии с которыми предупреждение преступности среди несовершеннолетних является важнейшим аспектом предупреждения преступности в обществе (принцип 1).”
As translated by CRIN:
“Measures prescribed by law are in line with the provisions of Article 27 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted on November 20, 1989 by General Assembly resolution No. 44/25, according to which the parent(s) or others, responsible for the upbringing of the child, have the primary responsibility to secure, within their abilities and financial capacities, the living conditions necessary for the child’s development.”
“According to international standards and norms of the United Nations in the field of juvenile justice, any deprivation of liberty (including placement in educational-correctional institution) should only be used as a measure of last resort and for the shortest time possible (item “b”of Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, article 46 of the Riyadh guidelines, rule 19.1 of the Beijing Rules).”
“According to the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (“Beijing Rules”), adopted on November 29, 1985 by resolution 40/33 of the General Assembly, United Nations Member States should strive to create conditions that will ensure juvenile a meaningful life in a society in that period of life when he or she is most susceptible to deviant behavior, and foster a process of personal development and education free from crime and delinquency (Rule 1.2). “
“Normative legal provisions are consistent with the UN Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (“Riyadh Guidelines”), adopted on December 14, 1990 by General Assembly resolution No. 45/112, according to which the prevention of juvenile delinquency is an essential part of crime prevention in the community (Principle 1).”
CRIN Comments:
CRIN believes this decision is not consistent with the CRC. Curfews are a status offence for which children are liable simply by virtue of their age. Although they purport to protect children, they amount to a violation of a number of children’s rights (including the rights to freedom of movement and assembly, privacy and others). Furthermore, detaining children in response to a curfew violation is disproportionate and, therefore, it violates the child’s right to liberty.
Citation:
Решение Конституционного Суда Республики Беларусь от 17.05.2012 N Р-704/2012 О соответствии Конституции Республики Беларусь Закона Республики Беларусь “О внесении изменений и дополнений в некоторые законы Республики Беларусь по вопросам профилактики безнадзорности и правонарушений несовершеннолетних”.
Link to full judgement:
http://naviny.org/2012/05/17/by11497.htm
This case summary is provided by the Child Rights International Network for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.