IJJO Interviews

Mr. David O’Mahony, Professor in Law at Durham University in England, presents and analyses the context of restorative justice in Europe. Mr. O’Mahony defines and describes the current situation of restorative justice in Europe, its evolution and progress as well as the long term advantages in contrast with a traditional criminal system.

Eduardo Rezende Melo, President of The Brazilian Association of Child Protection and Juvenile Judges, District Attorneys and Public Defenders talks about the current situation of the juvenile justice system in Brazil. Mr. Rezende analyses the importance of legal assistance for minors in conflict with the law and the current intervention proceedings with minor offenders in Brazil.

Erika Varadi presents the situation and current youth justice system in Hungary. Mrs. Varadi Criminology Professor at the Sciences Institute Criminals, Criminal Law and Criminology Department of the Miskolc University in Hungary, analyses the evolution of the current youth delinquency prevention system in Hungary. Reintegration of youth who are in conflict with the law is one of the main objectives of the programs and instruments which are focused in youth crime prevention in such country.

Jochen Goerdeler, Director of the ‘German Association for Juvenile Justice and Judicial assistance for Minors’ from Germany, analyses the juvenile justice system in this country. Mr. Goerdeler explains that the development of a more tolerant social environment towards youngsters in trouble and of a general political environment which is more concentrated on social integration instead of punishment and mere security, are some of the essential improvements for the development of a future for juvenile justice in Germany.

Olga María del Carmen Sánchez Cordero de García Villegas, Minister of the Supreme Justice Court of Mexico explains thoroughly the development of the ‘Federal Juvenile Justice Law’ of April 25th 2006. Through her experience and knowledge in the field of legislation, Olga María considers the integral protection of the children and adolescents’ rights as an essential element in this legislation and analyses the current situation of the minor in this legislative context.