The Third Dialogue on Children and Adolescents + Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IDH) was held. It was an instance in which children and adolescents from the region spoke with the judges about different topics.
The event was organized by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Save the Children, Sweden Sverige and the Paniamor Foundation. It had the support of the NNAPES Platform, Rednnyas, Molacnats, Interdistrict Network of School Municipalities, Action for Children and Peace and Hope.
On this occasion, the central theme was to exchange on participation in the mechanisms of the Inter-American Court.
From the NNAPES Platform, Matilde Rautes (Nicaragua) and Constanza Silva (Chile) participated, who represented other children and adolescents with adult references deprived of liberty from Latin America and the Caribbean. The adolescents presented the Court with various recommendations to take into account in the participation process, taking into account the stage before, during and after the instance before the Court.
Regarding the previous stage, they mentioned the need to hold meetings prior to participation to discuss this instance and provide inputs for educators to accompany children and adolescents in this process. Also, the adolescents mentioned the importance of knowing the date and time of the events to be organized and that these do not interfere with their educational activities.
Matilde and Constanza also provided recommendations for organizations that work with children and adolescents. In this sense, they stressed the need to carry out a process of prior work and reflection with other children and adolescents. In addition, strengthen the use of technologies and have all the information about the event. On the other hand, they also referred to the possibility that children and adolescents have emotional support before, during and after the activity.
Regarding the instance during the participation, for the adolescents, they must be flexible and friendly instances, that have an active listening, that their participation is valued and that they are respected as subjects of law. Participations must also be organized so that children and adolescents are the first and that there are no long waits, Matilde and Constanza specified.
Regarding the post-participation stage, the adolescents urged that children and adolescents should be informed about the process that continues after the hearing, about what aspects are going to be taken into account and what the final result is.
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