FLORIANA, 23 October 2025 – The High-Level Conference on Safeguarding the Best Interests of the Child brought together leading national and international stakeholders to advance child-centred justice across Europe. The conference was opened by the President of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), Judge Mattias Guyomar, alongside Malta’s Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector, Hon. Jonathan Attard.
In his opening address, the minister reaffirmed Malta’s commitment to transparent, accessible and child-sensitive justice systems, pointing to key national initiatives such as the Valletta Protocol and the Digital Justice Strategy. President Guyomar highlighted that the European Convention on Human Rights remains a “living instrument” as it marks its 75th anniversary, continuing to safeguard children’s rights in evolving contexts. He stressed that the best interests of the child remain a guiding principle in the Court’s work and case law.
The conference featured contributions from a distinguished panel of speakers, including Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President Emeritus of Malta; Dr Juliana Scerri Ferrante, Maltese elected member to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child; Madam Justice Lorraine Schembri Orland, Judge at the ECtHR in respect of Malta; Judge Francesco Depasquale, President of the CEPEJ; Commissioner for Children Antoinette Vassallo; and State Advocate Christopher Soler.
Discussions focused on strengthening child-friendly justice systems that uphold fairness, ensure children’s voices are heard and respond effectively to their specific vulnerabilities. Key recommendations included the establishment of specialised child-focused courts, the wider use of non-custodial measures and the integration of multidisciplinary services, such as the Barnahus model. Participants also emphasised the importance of swifter, trauma-informed procedures, stronger legal frameworks, enhanced professional training, cross-sector collaboration and early-intervention policies addressing root causes such as poverty and exploitation.