Issues relating to the protection of children’s rights, particularly those with a parent in detention, were discussed during a meeting on Thursday between Costas Fytiris, Ministry of Justice and Public Order minister, and Elena Perikleous, the Commissioner for the Protection of Children's Rights.
According to a statement from the justice ministry, the meeting included an exchange of views on current practices and procedures aimed at safeguarding the rights of children who have a parent in prison.
Discussions also focused on the ways children are informed and supported when communicating with or visiting a detained parent.
The two officials also examined progress on efforts to establish and operate a dedicated detention facility for minors, in line with relevant legislation and international standards for the protection of children’s rights.
Fytiris briefed the commissioner on steps already taken regarding the planning of the facility, including the necessary infrastructure and the regulatory framework that will govern its operation.
Better procedures and facilities
The aim, he said, is to create a modern detention environment that responds to the specific needs of minors.
The meeting also addressed the need to strengthen cooperation between the competent authorities involved in handling cases concerning children.
According to the ministry, the justice minister stressed that protecting children’s rights remains a standing priority for the state. He added that the effective management of cases involving minors requires coordination and meaningful cooperation between all relevant bodies.
In this context, the participants also discussed a proposal to establish executive cooperation mechanisms between the relevant services, with the aim of speeding up procedures and improving the handling of cases involving children.