Takhar's Children in Conflict with the Law: Reasons for Conflict, Family and Community Attitudes, and Perceptions of the Formal Justice System

This paper presents the results of a study on children in conflict with the law in Takhar Province in Afghanistan. This study was commissioned by Terre des Hommes and carried out by The Liaison Office, an Afghan non-governmental organization. This study is based upon 43 individual interviews and six focus groups conducted with Takhar Juvenile Rehabilitation Center staff, children in the Juvenile Rehabilitation Center, government Officials, adult community members and children outside the juvenile justice system. Data gathered highlights that: moral education and discouraging idleness are considered main factors for preventing conflict with the law and encouraging desistance; religious leaders are key to crime prevention and desistance, as well as reintegration of children in conflict with the law; about half of boys in the Takhar Juvenile Rehabilitation Center appear to come into contact with the law due to allegations of sex crimes, though some of these allegations might actually stem from boys being victims of sex crimes committed by local power-holders. Other allegations against boys included murder, theft, and connections to insurgent groups; most girls, in turn, appear to come into contact with the law due to allegations of “running away” from home, often accompanied by express or implied allegations of sexual contact outside of marriage. Finally, this study shows several recommendations such as: deepening relationships with religious leaders aligned with Terre des Hommes’ values and mission; developing link between local employers and those involved in organizing children’s activities aligned with Tdh’s values and mission; developing awareness-raising programmes on desistance and prevention; developing supporting services based on community-based approaches.