The Youth Justice System in England and Wales: complying with international human rights law

The youth justice system in England and Wales has repeatedly been criticised for its treatment of children’s human rights. For example in 2003 an umbrella group of children’s rights organisations published a report calling for a comprehensive review of the system of justice for children in England and Wales. This report argued that the youth justice system in England and Wales has failed to comply with Britain’s legal obligations regarding children’s human rights. The root of this criticism is that the youth justice system is not built on the framework provided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). This article will consider whether the youth justice system in England and Wales is complying with its obligations under the UNCRC. I will first examine what UNCRC obligations exist and then investigate to what extent the youth justice system in England and Wales is falling foul of these obligations