• Assistance from a medical-psychological institute;
• Placement in an educational institute.
260. With regard to the establishment of criminal prevention, Article 127 provides for
the following species:
• Observation center attached to specialized courts of jurisdiction;
• Medical-psychological Institute;
• Educational institutes;
• Patronage homes
12.1. Specialized child protection service at the Ministry of Interior
261. The State of Guinea-Bissau to combat violations of children's rights, has
established in various legislations a punishment for behavior which jeopardize the
life, sexual self-determination and physical integrity. So much so that the children
themselves are not aware of the complaint mechanisms, fearing reprisals from their
relatives. And cases of violation of children's rights, are overwhelmingly addressed
and resolved in the family forum.
262. Despite the existence of legal instruments such as the Law against Domestic
Violence, the Law against Female Excision, the National Policy on Gender Equality
and Equity, the Law against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children
continue to persist children's rights. And formal justice bodies cannot match the
demands.
263. According to Article 10 of the Criminal Code, natural persons are only
susceptible to criminal responsibility from the age of 16. Delinquents over the age of
16 years and under 20 years of age, will be charged with the abstract penalty
corresponding to the type of offence, especially mitigated.
264. In Guinea-Bissau, there are no data on the number of children being tortured,
but there are reports on detention in the police stations. There is violence by police
officers to enforce discipline. It is therefore clear from the law that judiciary authorities
and OPCs have an obligation to take action to protect the rights of children in conflict
with the law.
265. At present, the Offices for women and children cares, victims of domestic
violence, are operating in the Ministry of Interior, as a result of the recommendations
of the 1995 Beijing Conference.
266. The training of public order and police officers to deal with domestic violence
cases, is also ongoing, within the framework of a reform of the defense and security
sector, led by UNIOGBIS. (United Nations Integrated Office - Peace Building).
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