International seminar on "Unaccompanied Minors as Victims or Witnesses in Transnational Organized Crime Networks"

On November 13 and 15, 2024, the second seminar of the JUST Child project, funded by the European Union’s Justice Programme, was held in Naples, Italy, at the invitation of the French School of Magistrates. The seminar was titled "Unaccompanied Minors as Victims or Witnesses in Transnational Organized Crime Networks."

The event was attended by representatives from various institutions in Kosovo, including the Supreme Court, the Special Prosecutor’s Office, the Basic Prosecutor’s Office – Juvenile Department, and the Academy of Justice.

The primary goal of the seminar was to enhance child-friendly justice in line with the European Union’s strategies. The project specifically focuses on protecting the most vulnerable children, particularly unaccompanied minors, who are prime targets for organized crime groups, especially in the context of human trafficking.

The seminar included a range of activities and sessions for professionals from across Europe, including judges, prosecutors, lawyers, academics, and representatives from organizations working with unaccompanied minors. Discussions addressed key issues regarding the rights of minors who are either perpetrators, witnesses, or victims in criminal proceedings related to transnational organized crime.

Kosovo’s participants in the seminar were: Afrim Shala, Judge at the Supreme Court, Sebahate Hoxha, Prosecutor at the Special Prosecutor’s Office, Merita Shala, Prosecutor at the Basic Prosecutor’s Office of Pristina, Juvenile Department, Linda Fejzullahu, Senior Officer for Communication and Institutional Cooperation, Academy of Justice.

The seminar provided a valuable opportunity to ensure better and just treatment of minors within the justice system, focusing on protection and respect of their rights, particularly in the context of international and organized crime.