From April 19-20, the Siracusa Institute hosted the Launch Meeting of the “GCFT Neuchâtel Memorandum on Juvenile Justice in the Counter Terrorism Context”, organized by the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law with the generous support of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Swiss Confederation
Opening remarks were attended by Mr. Filippo Musca, Deputy Director of the Siracusa Institute, Mr. Robert Strang, Executive Secretary of the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law, Ms. Naima Müller, Senior Legal Officer of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Swiss Confederation, Directorate of International Law/Counterterrorism Coordination, Mr. Valerio de Divitiis, Program Manager of the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law and Mr. Paul Costello, Detective Sergeant of the Investigations Department of the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, Greater Manchester Police.
The aim of this initiative on juvenile justice in a counterterrorism context was to bring together experts, policymakers and law enforcement officers to share experiences, explore good practices, and identify challenges in tailoring responses to threats of terrorism while protecting public safety and upholding the rights of children.
On both days, four working groups worked separately and focused on different issues, such as the status of children and their protection under international law and juvenile justice standards, the prevention matters related to the risks of recruitment and exploitation of children by terrorist organizations, the institutional challenges vis- à- vis children in terrorism cases and the rehabilitation and reintegration processes for children involved in terrorism-related activities.
