Abused children to testify in privacy at courts

AMMAN — The National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA) on Sunday signed a courtroom TV connection agreement to help children speak out and testify in cases of domestic violence and abuse. 

The agreement came in line with Her Majesty Queen Rania’s keenness on protecting children and providing an environment that is free of stress and fear to help children give their testimonies away from their offenders at court, an NCFA statement said.

The NCFA, whose board of trustees is chaired by Her Majesty, signed the agreement with the Jordanian Judiciary Council, the Justice Ministry and the Public Security Department, with the support of UNICEF and UNHCR. 

According to the agreement, there will be special rooms for children at courts, which will be connected to trial rooms via TV, the statement added.

“Jordan has been a leading country in enacting legislation to ensure protection for children,” according to the council, which added that the Kingdom has already amended Article 158 of the Criminal Procedures Law to allow using this technology in litigation, including TV connection inside courts and between courts and detention centres.

The amendments also stipulate ensuring the confidentiality of recordings, the statement said.