Children’s Rights

Macedonian Young Lawyers Association works to improve the system for protection of children’s rights. Despite the efforts of the state to regulate and strive for consistent respect and realization of children’s rights, there are violations that significantly affect children’s rights; disrespect for the best interests of the child, as well as insufficient protection from violations in the family, kindergartens, educational institutions and child care institutions.

Our activities:

Free legal aid for children

Protection of children’s rights can be implemented by initiating two procedures: a civil procedure and a criminal procedure. In cooperation with SOS Detsko Selo (SOS Children’s Village) we established a service for the protection of victims of violent crimes targeting children, the elderly, women, and persons with disabilities. The Service for Protection of Victims of Violent Crimes provides legal, psychological and social support services to victims of violent crimes.

Research and policy

MYLA identifies the key problems and challenges related to the social protection system through analyses and submitted comments on the proposed legal amendments to create a more effective legislation that will protect and safeguard the rights of children. Recognizing the good practices of other countries, recommendations are made to improve the legislative framework in this area. As part of the working groups in the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia for amending existing legislation whereby the position and protection are improved and more efficient and comprehensive protection of the rights and interests of children is obtained, MYLA has contributed to the work by submitting comments on proposed legislation. The list of primary and secondary legislation where MYLA has made contributions can be accessed here.

Legal training

Seen through the prism of persons who have a role to play in ensuring protection and safeguarding realization of children’s rights in those situations where their rights have been violated, MYLA has developed a training curriculum for the necessary measures and skills related to interviewing child victims and/or witnesses in criminal and civil proceedings, which was approved and incorporated in the curriculum of the Academy of Judges and Public Prosecutors.