Working Manual on Juvenile Justice System was presented by Mr. Vijay Hansaria, President Legal Assistance Forum to Ms. Karin Hulshof, Country Representative, UNICEF, India. The manual was prepared by the Legal Assistance Forum after gaining first hand experience on the working of Juvenile Justice system in the country by constant interaction with various stakeholders through field study which culminated in three workshops held in Kerala, Rajasthan and Assam.

Ms. Hulshof expressed her appreciation for the efforts of the Forum in preparing the manual. She said that in India there was an imminent need to improve the working of the Juvenile Justice system and the manual would play a major role in the initiation of the process of improvement.

Mr. Vijay Hansaria gave a brief overview of the manual highlighting its key features. He said that the manual is intended to address the need of the various stakeholders involved in the juvenile justice system giving them a clear view of their roles and responsibilities in a user friendly manner. An important highlight of the manual is an introduction on the Juvenile Justice System in India by the Chief Justice of India and key responsibilities and approach of its stake holder by sitting Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts. Mr. Hansaria requested NIPCCD to take over the responsibility of distributing the manual to all the stake holders in the country. Mr. Ashok Kumar, Deputy Director, NIPCCD assured that it would look into the matter and take possible steps. Finally Mr. Hansaria on behalf of LAF expressed sincere thank and gratitude to Unicef for partnership in the project and expressed the hope that in future also that two orgranisation with worked together.

Mr. Amod Kant, Chairperson, Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Member Advisory Committee, LAF added that in India the approach of the various stakeholders involved in the Juvenile Justice system needs to be referred and all activities should be in the interest of the child. He stressed that the stake holder must not look at the Juveniles in conflict with law as criminals, rather treat them as children in need of care and protection and work for their social re-integration.

Mr. Sony Kutty George, Project Officer, Child protection, UNICEF, Mrs. Minna Kabir, Social activist, Mr. P.I.Jose, Secretary, LAF, Mr. K.S. Bhati, Treasurer, LAF, Ms. Ritu Bhardwaj, Joint Secretary, LAF, Mr. Anupam Mishra, Ms. Sneha Kalita, Mr. Jayesh K.U, Executive members, LAF and Mr. Jayant Sangwan, Research associate took part in the deliberations.

Ms. Hulshof concluded the discussion by saying that the Unicef would take all necessary steps that would improve the quality of life of children in the country and render requisite support for the same including possibility of the distribution and circulation of the manual to all the stake holders in the country after taking a formal decision.