Childhood Partners in Sudan Plan Measures to Resolve Overcrowding Among Children in Contact with the Law

The meeting, held at the headquarters of the judiciary in Port Sudan, included the National Council for Child Care, judges from the judicial apparatus, the Director of Family and Child Protection Police, partners from UNICEF, social development, youth and sports, the Director of the General Administration for Juvenile Affairs in prisons, and the Secretary of the Red Sea State government. The meeting emphasized the importance of establishing a temporary facility with specifications to alleviate overcrowding.

Two main issues were discussed: the problem of overcrowding among children in contact with the law to alleviate congestion in the Family and Child Protection Administration's facilities, and the renting of a temporary facility, as well as the approval of land for building a care home for children in coordination with the Secretary of the Red Sea State government and national and international partners under Ministerial Decision No. (3).

Childhood Partners: Solutions for the Situation of Children in Contact with the Law Childhood partners in Sudan have agreed to take measures to address the issue of overcrowding among children in contact with the law.

The participants highlighted that many courts and care homes have been closed due to the ongoing war, worsening overcrowding in child protection facilities, which is a growing concern. They noted that many cases involve children without serious crimes, and alternatives to detention are needed. The meeting also discussed how to address the needs of detained children, especially those of school age or out of school.

The role of the Ministry of Health was also discussed, particularly regarding age determination in medical examinations. The participants agreed to hold another meeting a week later to address these issues.

On another note, the Secretary-General of the National Council for Child Care, Dr. Abdel Qader Abu, met with representatives from UNICEF and the head of the judicial apparatus in the Red Sea State, Mr. Az al-Din Ali Abu al-Qasim. The meeting discussed the campaign launched by UNICEF and the National Council for Child Care to register newborns and issue birth certificates, starting in three localities in Port Sudan, Suakin, and Sinkat as a first phase. The head of the judiciary confirmed the judiciary's readiness for the campaign and the provision of three judges to participate in the campaign.