Children’s rights in juvenile justice 2007, para. 58

Paragraph
Paragraph text
The child being questioned must have access to a legal or other appropriate representative, and must be able to request the presence of his/her parent(s) during questioning. There must be independent scrutiny of the methods of interrogation to ensure that the evidence is voluntary and not coerced, given the totality of the circumstances, and is reliable. The court or other judicial body, when considering the voluntary nature and reliability of an admission or confession by a child, must take into account the age of the child, the length of custody and interrogation, and the presence of legal or other counsel, parent(s), or independent representatives of the child. Police officers and other investigating authorities should be well trained to avoid interrogation techniques and practices that result in coerced or unreliable confessions or testimonies.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Committee on the Rights of the Child
Document type
General Comment / Recommendation
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
  • Civil & Political Rights
  • Governance & Rule of Law
Person(s) affected
  • Children
  • Families
Year
2007
Paragraph type
Other
Reference
CRC General Comment No. 10, Children’s rights in juvenile justice (2007), para. 58.
Paragraph number
58