Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 20/ Trend , K. Zarbaliyeva/ There is no need for juvenile courts in Azerbaijan, Justice Ministry Human Rights and Public Relations Office head Faig Gurbanov told Trend .
"Very small part of juvenile criminals is sentenced to prison. Juveniles who commit serious crimes are punished. There is no need for juvenile courts," he said.
He said there are more juvenile courts in Europe as there are more juvenile crimes.
Gurbanov said a special judge may be appointed to deal with juvenile criminal cases in courts in future.
The Justice Ministry and Interior Ministry will implement an action program on children's rights together with UNICEF, he said.
Gurbanov said the program will be approved soon adding that juvenile justice pilot projects and measures will be implemented to protect children's rights under the program.
The similar project was implemented last year.
About 40 boys aged 16 to 18 are kept in reformatory. Majority of them are charged with robbery, sexual violence and murder.
Head of the reformatory Imran Mammadov told Trend that four children, who turned 18, were not transferred to prison for elders due to good letter of reference.
In 2008, three children were pardoned by President. Two of them were released as they served their term. One of them was released at the Supreme Court decision. Punishment of 8 people was simplified. A total of 33 people were transferred to prison as they turned 18.
Article 92.3.5 and 432.2 of the Penal and Procedural Code stipulates that a juvenile criminal must be provided with a lawyer.
Juveniles are sentenced to 10 years in jail at most. Children are sentenced to prison once they turn 14 years in Azerbaijan. This is 12 years in England.
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