MASTER THESIS Titel der Master Thesis / Title of the Master‘s Thesis „Analysis of the Administration of Child Justice In Bhutan“ verfasst von / submitted by Kinzang Chedup angestrebter akademischer Grad / in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (MA) Wien, 2017 / Vienna 2017 Studienkennzahl lt. Studienblatt / A 992 884 Postgraduate programme code as it appears on the student record sheet: Universitätslehrgang lt. Studienblatt / Human Rights Postgraduate programme as it appears on the student record sheet: Betreut von / Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. MMag. Dr.Christina Binder, E.MA List of Abbreviations and Acronyms ADR Alternative Dispute Resolution BNCA Bhutan Narcotic Control Agency CAAB Child Adoption Act of Bhutan CCPAB Child Care and Protection Act of Bhutan CCPCB Civil and Criminal Procedure Code of Bhutan CCPRR Child Care and Protection Rules and Regulations CICL Children in Conflict with the Law CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child CSO Civil Society Organisation GNH Gross National Happiness ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights NCWC National Commission for Women and Children OAG Office of the Attorney General PCB Penal Code of Bhutan RBP Royal Bhutan Police RCJ Royal Court of Justice RENEW Respect, Educate, Nurture and Empower Women RGOB Royal Government of Bhutan UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund WCPU Women and Child Protection Unit YDF Youth Development Fund YDRC Youth Development and Rehabilitation Centre i Table of Contents List of Abbreviations and Acronyms .................................................................................i Chapter One 1. Introduction ...........................................................................................................1 1.1 Problem Formulation ............................................................................................1 1.2 Rationale ...............................................................................................................6 1.3 Methodology .........................................................................................................8 1.4 Limitations ............................................................................................................9 Chapter Two 2.1 The concept of ‘Child’ in Bhutan- The Bhutanese Perspective ..........................10 2.2 The Evolution of Focus on Children in Bhutan ..................................................14 2.3 The Change from a Dutiful Child to a Right bearing Child Concept .................15 2.4 From the [Rights] of the Child to the [Duty] to Implement in Bhutan ...............16 Chapter Three 3.1 The International Dimension and Development of Child Justice .......................18 3.2 The Definition of [Child Justice] ........................................................................26 Chapter Four 4.1 International Standards and Norms on Child Justice ..........................................26 4.2 The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) .............27 4.3 UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice [Beijing Rules] ....................................................................................................29 4.4 UN Standard Minimum Rules for Non-custodial Measures [ The Tokyo Rules]....................................................................................................................34 4.4.1 Pretrial Dispositions ...........................................................................................35 4.4.2 Sentencing Dispositions .....................................................................................36 4.4.3 Post-Sentencing Dispositions .............................................................................37 4.4.4 Recruitment and Staff .........................................................................................37 4.4.5 Policy Formulation .............................................................................................38 4.5 UN Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty, 1990 [The Havana Rules] ............................................................................................38 4.5.1 Deprivation of Liberty ........................................................................................39 4.5.2 Juvenile under arrest and awaiting trial ..............................................................40 4.5.3 Management of juvenile facilities ......................................................................40 4.5.4 Right to Education ..............................................................................................41 4.5.5 Recreation, practice of religion and medical care ..............................................42 4.5.6 Contact with the outside community ..................................................................43 4.5.7 Physical restraint and use of force ......................................................................43 4.5.8 Disciplinary process ...........................................................................................43 4.6 Guidelines for Action on Children in the Criminal Justice System, 1997 [The Vienna Guidelines] .....................................................................................44 4.6.1 Measures to be taken at the international level ...................................................46 Chapter Five 5.1 Legal Framework for the Protection of CICLs in Bhutan [Operational Legal Structure for Administration of Child Justice] ........................................47 5.1.1 The Constitution of Bhutan, 2008 ......................................................................49 5.1.2 The Child Care and Protection Act of Bhutan, 2011 ..........................................51 5.1.3 The Child Court Procedure 2015 ........................................................................52 5.1.4 The Civil and Criminal Procedure Code of Bhutan, 2001 .................................54 5.1.5 The Prison Act of Bhutan, 2009 .........................................................................55 5.1.6 The Penal Code of Bhutan, 2004 ........................................................................56 5.1.7 The Police Act of Bhutan, 2009 ..........................................................................56 Chapter Six 6.1 Child Justice System of Bhutan- [Functioning Modality of Child Justice in Bhutan] ...............................................................................................57 6.1.1 The [Child Bench] ..............................................................................................59 6.1.2 The Child Court Procedure .................................................................................60 6.1.3 Separate Child Judge [Child Bench Drangpon] .................................................60 6.1.4 [Friendliness] of the Court ..................................................................................61 6.1.5 [Judges] sensitised on Child Issues ....................................................................61 Chapter Seven 7.1. Rights of Children in Conflict with Law before the Bhutanese Justice System –A Legislative Achievement? ...............................................................62 7.1.1 Pre-Trial Rights of CICLs ..................................................................................63 7.1.2 Rights of CICLs during the [Trial] .....................................................................64 7.1.3 Post Trial Rights .................................................................................................66 Chapter Eight 8.1 Judicial Process for Administration of Child Justice in Bhutan. [How are Rights of Children in Conflict with the Law are Enforced through a Judicial Process] ..............................................................................................68 8.1.1 The Registration of the Case ..............................................................................69 8.1.2 Arrest of a Child .................................................................................................70 8.1.3 [Investigation] of the Child .................................................................................71 8.1.4 [Detention] of CICL before the Trial ..................................................................71 8.1.5 Production of CICL before the [Court] ...............................................................71 8.1.6 Formal Court Proceedings ..................................................................................72 8.1.7 Separate Hearings ...............................................................................................73 8.1.8 Legal Representation and [Legal Aid] ................................................................73 8.1.9 [Disposition] .......................................................................................................74 8.2 Award of judgment .............................................................................................74 8.2.1 Alternative Sentencing .......................................................................................75 8.2.2 Appeal .................................................................................................................76 Chapter Nine 9.1 The concept of Restorative Justice for Children in Bhutan [The understanding of child crime and justice]. How Restorative Practices