JUVENILE JUSTICE IN COMPARATIVE PENAL LAW

Abstract

In the last thirty years, questions related to the problem of juvenile delinquency attract the interest of a growing number of scientists and professionals in practice. On the one hand, a certain number of experts and politicians, as well as the general public, criticize the existing system of reaction of the states to juvenile delinquency and advocate for stricter sanctions against minors.The realization of children's rights in the area of juvenile justice is promoted and ensured by numerous United Nations documents that are the basis of legislation aimed at minors in almost all European countries, the most important of which are the UN Standard Minimum Rules for Juvenile Justice (Beijing Rules), the Rules of the United Nations for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of Liberty and the United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency.The principle of restorative justice has a strong tendency to reduce the imposition of sanctions on children to a minimum, that is, the imposition of punishments on children should be the last solution, which is preceded by all alternative measures that are prevention as opposed to avoiding repressive measures as initial punishments. The improvement of the legal framework for children's rights will be a significant basis for non-discrimination of children on any basis, the possibility of an individual approach to each accused minor individually, the need for his upbringing, re-education, education and development, all with the aim of ensuring and protecting the most necessary interests. for the child. The analysis contained in this paper, taking into account all aspects of juvenile justice, will be a unique contribution to the adoption of the new Law on Justice for Children in terms of positive innovations that fully ensure the best interest of the child in the juvenile justice system. International experiences are an important part of the development of juvenile justice, which is precisely why the positioning of the Republic of North Macedonia in comparison with Germany, Slovenia, Great Britain, France and Croatia is an important indicator of the situation in the Republic of Macedonia. North Macedonia compared to the rest of the countries, because of the importance of this issue, which is also the goal of this paper.