Measuring the impact of the Syrian crisis on both State and customary juvenile justice systems in Jordan

This research aims to measure and to understand the variations in the functioning of both formal and informal juvenile justice systems in Jordan, furthermore the Syrian crisis. Indeed, this research is a part of a large process of understanding the adaptable mechanisms of the juvenile justice in Jordan, especially following the Syrian civil crisis that started in 2011 and its consequences in Jordan. The main objective of the research is to measure the impact of the Syrian crisis on all the steps of both formal and informal juvenile justice systems concerning Jordanian and non-Jordanian children at risks as well as the ones in conflict with the law. Main findings highlight that: there is no impact of the Syrian crisis on the formal juvenile justice system in Jordan at the step of detention; the Syrian crisis does not seem to have impacted the nature of the offenses committed by juveniles since the beginning of the Syrian crisis; the misperception of the impact of the Syrian crisis and of the Syrians themselves by the Jordanians leads the Syrian refugees to suffer from numerous stigmas. Finally, this study recommends to: strengthen the judicial system through training the different actors of the formal justice system; collaborate and create a partnership with the School of Lawyers, Bar Association and other legal organization to assure the right to a lawyer; raise awareness about the rights of children among the non-Jordanians juveniles and their families; advocate for the rights of children and for a better image of non-Jordanians.