Sudan has known administration of juvenile justice a long time ago as juvenile courts
have been established in the country since 1948. Compositions of these courts have
always included social workers. One of the most popular arrangements was the verdict of
social observation through social workers. There was a department for social service,
homes for convicted children separate from adult inmates and separate waiting rooms.
Prison Officers College was established in 1953. Sudan has a suburb heritage in juvenile
justice administration and has been enriched by the modern scientific and legislative
developments at both national and international levels.
The most recent arrangements in the administration of juvenile justice include the
establishment of juvenile courts in a number of states and the directive of HE the Chief
Justice that juveniles are to be tried by the most senior judges in the states. Furthermore,
separate juvenile prosecution offices were established to have children investigated only
by general prosecutors. Another development was the establishment of the Family and
Child Unit by the Police to enable the police deal with child victims and reintegrate them
in the community. Officers of the unit were highly trained on child protection in
collaboration with UNICEF.
One of the arrangements in this respect is the training of judges on juvenile justice
administration and the establishment of a child department at the National Supreme Court
to revise verdicts and appeals of children and advise competent courts accordingly.
Work is currently underway to establish an integrated legal, legislative and administrative
system for juvenile justice as stipulated by The Child Act, 2010 and in accordance with
the steady development seen by the legislative framework in the Sudan in the field of
juvenile justice.
C- Children Accompanying Mothers in Prisons:
Children accompanying their mothers in prison represent an important issue. Prison
administrations do their best to solve problems with support from NGOs. Political decisions
were taken to release mother prisoners with children in prison. Other important political
decisions include Release of female prisoners who keep their children with them; Prohibition
of detention of pregnant and breast feeding mothers charged with civil offences. Trial of
women charged with criminal offences is to be postponed for two years. Reference has
already been made in chapter five to the arrangements taken with regards to pregnant girls
outside marriage as this is illegal in Sudan. Ever since the establishment of the Police Family
and Child Unit it has shouldered the responsibility of dealing with children in conflict with
the law. The Unit uses the services of experts such social workers, prosecutors, judges,
providers of legal aid services and health workers specializing psychosocial support
provision.
D- Exploitation and Abuse
Economic Exploitation and Child Labor:
Sudanese legislations have prohibited economic exploitation and child labor. Article 36
of The Child Act, 2010 stipulated that Child labor is restricted to those below 14 years of
age, with the exception of those working in grazing and agricultural works that are not
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