Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice: Some Remarks on the Philosophy and Crime Policy Implications of the 'Beijing Rules' (From UNAFEI Annual Report for 1985 and Material Produced During the 70th International Training Course, P 107-123, 1986 -- See NCJ-106514)

• NCJ Number: 106518
• Author(s): H Schuler-Springorum
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United Nations
• Note: For microfiche, see NCJ-106514.

Annotation

This commentary discusses the terminology used in the United Nations (UN) Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice, implementation issues, and the implications of the development of the rules.

Abstract

The rules were adopted in September 1985 by a UN Congress. The terminology they use is cautious as well as general, focusing on the objective of promoting the well-being of juveniles. The terminology also assumes the existence of a juvenile justice system. In addition, diversion is presented as a general concept rather than a specific practice. A variety of possible dispositions are mentioned, but the list is not intended to be exhaustive. Institutionalization is described as a last resort. Implementing the rules in individual nations will entail some of the same difficulties that formulating them did. Each nation will have to develop specific interpretations of terminology and decide how to balance firmness and flexibility in the rules. The UN intended the rules as a model for its member states. The existence of such rules does represent progress in the direction of a world law, in that they provide a set of minimum guidelines for national policies.