Understanding the legal pathways for children in contact with the law within the Iraqi criminal justice system

This study provides an overview and analysis of the current regulatory and law enforcement provisions, practices, and gaps pertaining to the legal pathways for children in contact with the law within the Iraqi criminal justice system. Its methodology consists of an in-depth desk review, combined with 16 interviews with youth released after being charged as minors, legal practitioners, and justice authorities in four Iraqi governorates. This study also contains practical advice for lawyers providing legal aid to children and youth across the various stages of the criminal justice process. Additionally, Tdh’s Iraq Child-friendly Legal Aid Guidelines is forthcoming. This will be a practical tool for legal aid practitioners in the country to systematically manage the legal defense of cases of children and youth with all due guarantees.