Kiribati > Elimination of child labour, protection of children and young persons

Kiribati - Elimination of child labour, protection of children and young persons - Law, Act

Juvenile Justice Act 2015 (No. of 2015). -

Adoption: 2015-12-24 | KIR-2015-L-102531

The intent of the Act is to set up a juvenile justice system that - (i) prevent crime by addressing the circumstances underlying a juvenile's offending behaviour, (ii) rehabilitate juveniles who commit offences and reintegrate them into society, and (iii) ensure that a juvenile is subject to meaningful consequences for his or her offence in order to promote the long term protection of the public.

Repeals Section 26 of the Magistrates' Courts Ordinance, Cap 52.

Kiribati - Elimination of child labour, protection of children and young persons - Law, Act

Children, Young People and Family Welfare Act 2013 (No. 6 of 2013). -

Adoption: 2013-05-17 | KIR-2013-L-98628

Part 1 deals with preliminary matters and also provides the general objects of the Act and the principles for care and protection of children and young people and in decision-making. The roles of parents as primary caregivers to ensure the wellbeing of their children is also provided in this Part.

Part 2 deals with the Administration roles of the Secretary as Secretary of the Ministry responsible for child and family welfare matters. This Part also provides the roles of the Director as the key person in providing support services to children and young people at risk of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and their families. Delegation of powers by the Secretary and the Director is provided and the roles of Social Welfare officers is provided to highlight the importance of their part in providing support to children, young people and families.

Part 3 is divided into five Divisions.
- Division 1 provides that support programmes to strengthen families and communities shall be conducted in partnership between the government, non-government organisations, church and faith-based organisations and community leaders.
- Division 2 provides for reporting and referral strategies.
- Division 3 provides for assessment and intervention mechanisms to services rendered to children and young people and/or their families.
- Division 4 provides emergency protection power to issue warrant to the Director, Social Welfare Officer or the Police to intervene and take a child or young person to a place of safety in instances where there is need for immediate care and protection actions to be taken.
- Division 5 provides for the types of orders that may be given by the court to the Director or Social Welfare Officer.

Part 4 provides that Non-Government organisations or church/faith-based organisation who provide cafe and protection services need to register with the Ministry before they could carry-out their services. Upon registration; such entities may operate following the conditions and requirements for service delivery to children and young people in need of their services.

Part 5 imposes a fine of $5,000 for disclosing the identification of children or young people victims. It also provides the power of the Minister to make regulation required for implementation of care and protection to children and young people and/or assistance to families and the expiration of any order to place a child or young person in care or custody to be when such children or young people reach 18 years.

Part 6 provides for Consequential Amendments to the Penal Code Cap 67 (section 144, 204, 205 and 226) and the Marriage Ordinance Cap 54 (section 7).