Book Description
Abstract: The past few decades have witnessed a growing global interest in formulating juvenile justice systems that can prevent juvenile delinquency as well as rehabilitate and reintegrate juvenile offenders. This research studies the Egyptian juvenile justice system, both in terms of its regulating law as well as its application, in light of global instruments and international requirements for the establishment of a comprehensive and rehabilitative juvenile justice system. The research is qualitative, uses observation and interviews with stakeholders involved in the administration of the juvenile justice system in Egypt. It offers a conceptual framework that builds on the internationally pronounced United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child’s 2007 core elements of a comprehensive policy of juvenile justice as well as a set of parameters informed by the 2006 UNICEF and UNODC measurement of the juvenile justice and the 2008 Violence Against Children in Conflict with the Law indicators. The research argues that while the Egyptian Child Law (2008) that regulates the juvenile justice system largely complies with the core elements of a sound and just juvenile justice system, its application does not necessarily reflect the same level of compliance. Indeed, while different official documents promote the establishment of a rehabilitative system, the current system is largely punitive, prioritizing public safety and youth offender accountability to human rights and youth development. The research calls for policy reform that promotes a more child centered juvenile justice system in the country.
