This report focuses on the adherence to International Standards by Ukraine, as it relates to justice for juveniles in conflict with the law. Hindrances to the administration of child-friendly justice include: restricted options for supporting arguments against juvenile criminal liability, a poverty of alternative legal procedures for the extrication of juveniles from the criminal justice system, and limited non-custodial options for delinquency correction. It is strongly recommended, that instead of punitive methods, a court should consider various alternatives that alleviate the risk of infringing on the liberty of children. Similar to other jurisdictions that have made more advances on the matter, Ukraine can benefit from the proven social and economic advantages of a child-appropriate approach to juvenile criminal justice. Moreover, on the grounds of morality and legality, it would evidentiate compliance with globally sanctioned objectives for the implementation of child-friendly justice.

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The core of the analysis will be premised on a blend of, qualitative feedback from Ukrainian professionals, multiple genres of scientific evidence, and hopeful outcomes from community-based responses to treat with juveniles in conflict with the law in other countries. As a rights-based issue, clearly stated international human-rights obligations towards children will first be briefly reflected upon. With the goal of emphasizing the need to embrace and exemplify the underpinning principles of child-friendly justice in Ukraine, a closer look will then be taken at the utility of community-based services, in the framework of it being a non-custodial option, and also a preventative measure in response to juvenile delinquency. Final recommendations will round-out the discussion on the potentials of the integration of more community-based rehabilitative options for juvenile offenders in Ukraine.