Provision for development of a child-friendly justice system through audio-visual links as per the attached TOR.

Background:

Justice for children encompasses legislation, polices, procedures and mechanisms applicable to the children who are in contact with the law whether in conflict with the law, as victims or witnesses or in need of care and protection. Expediting matters in relation to the children within the justice system is essential in terms of minimizing any adverse impact. Introducing effective measures especially including legal reforms to procedures are also key to address the trauma associated with court involvement for the children.

To ensure more accessible and timely justice for children, the Ministry of Justice with the technical assistance of UNICEF under the Support to Justice Sector Project (JURE) aims to introduce innovative ways to facilitate a more child-friendly environment in the court system. As an immediate step, it has been identified to establish a separate room with the digital equipment in the Kandy High Court where a child can give evidence through contemporaneous audio-visual linkages without having to be present in a court room with the alleged perpetrator(s). Assuming that there will be 20-25 children a month and an approximate number of 250-300 children a year will be able to give evidence through this audio-visual linkages.  Two similar rooms will also be set up at the Office of the District Judicial Medical Officer in Kandy General Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya the University of Peradeniya, where Judicial Medical Officials can lead their expert evidence remotely, subject to the approval of the respective judicial officer.  

In this context, UNICEF Sri Lanka seeks a company/team to support the establishment of a child-friendly court room with necessary audio-visual equipment in the Kandy High Court and two special rooms at the Office of the District Judicial Medical Officer in Kandy General Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya with equipment that will facilitate virtual conferencing to provide expert evidence.