Interviewing children in criminal proceedings: EU webinar to support Ukrainian officials

The EU Advisory Mission (EUAM) in Ukraine last week organised a webinar on interviewing children as part of criminal proceedings. The online event gathered Finland’s leading experts in the field and over 180 participants from Ukraine’s police, courts, prosecution, regional authorities and academia in Kharkiv, Lviv, Kyiv, Mariupol and Odesa.

The event highlighted best international practices for child interviewing aimed at making it less harmful for children and more informative for investigators. The keynote speakers drew attention to the fact that children are always in a potentially vulnerable position when interacting with authorities. They also stressed that young children in particular are highly susceptible to suggestion, which may lead to false accounts.

EUAM also plans to assist the National Police of Ukraine in the Kharkiv region to equip a special room for conducting interviews with children in accordance with best international practices.

The EU Advisory Mission advises and mentors Ukrainian civilian security sector actors to support reforms aimed at establishing sustainable institutions that are effective, accountable and enjoy public trust.

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Press release