The Ministry of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs (MJACR), in partnership with UNICEF, is holding a training seminar in Maputo province on February 20-21. for the care and referral of minors in conflict with the law.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, the National Director for Human Rights and Citizenship, Ângelo Paúnde, said that this initiative reflects the collective commitment to promoting juvenile justice and the social reintegration of children and adolescents who, due to different circumstances, find themselves in a situation of vulnerability.

Paúnde also pointed out that the issue of minors in conflict with the law represents one of the great challenges facing modern societies, which is why the government, through the MJACR, has made efforts to create and implement effective public policies for the proper care of these minors, highlighting among these measures the strengthening of institutional capacities for the application of socio-educational measures and the continuous training of professionals involved in the process of reintegrating these young people.

For the UNICEF representative, Tapfumanei Kusemwa, it is important to protect children's rights in all environments (home, schools, community, etc.).

Kussemwa stressed the need to emphasize restorative justice over other forms of justice, and to ensure that Mozambique's approach to protecting minors in conflict with the law complies with minimum international standards.

The meeting was attended by judges from the Juvenile Court and the Curator's Office, representatives from the Ombudsman's Office, the Community Courts, members of the Mozambican Police, the Attorney General's Office, the Ministries of Health, Labor, Gender and Social Action and Education and Culture, as well as civil society.