Coalition of NGOs for Child Protection  – KOMF with the support of UNICEF and the European Union in Kosovo published the Study on the assessment of the justice system for children in conflict with the law, with a focus on the implementation of diversion measures.

Based on the assessment carried out, it can be concluded that the legislation of the juvenile justice system in Kosovo is, to a considerable extent, harmonized with international requirements and standards, providing a stable basis for the practical implementation of the principle of the “best interest of the child” through diversity measures.

However, despite the progress in building this system, the assessment has identified that the practical implementation of these measures remains limited and does not fully comply with the legislator’s intentions and international standards. The assessment findings highlight a worrying trend of a continuous decline in the use of diversion measures, which contradicts the aim and objectives of the Juvenile Justice Code. The continuous increase in the number of minors in conflict with the law and the involvement of minors in serious criminal offenses also remains worrying. The lack of clarity in the interpretation of legal provisions, and the non-implementation of the new measures included in the Code, testify to a fragmented and unsustainable implementation of these measures.

Addressing these challenges is essential to ensure that the relevant provisions of the Juvenile Justice Code related to diversity measures are implemented effectively.