Jean Zermatten
Encyclopedia
Jean Zermatten is a specialist of Children's Rights
. He's the son of the Swiss writer
Maurice Zermatten
. He's Chairman of the U.N.
Committee on the Rights of the Child
. He's the first Swiss member of this Committee.
After studying Law at the University of Fribourg
, he became clerk, and later “ad hoc” judge
at the Criminal Court for Juveniles in Fribourg
. Then he's President and Dean of the Juvenile Court
of the Canton of Valais
during 25 years. Between 1989 and 1999, he held lectures at the University of Fribourg
(Social Work, Arts and Law School). In 2005, he founded the International Institute for the Rights of the Child which he still leads today. He is active in the direction of academics programms concerning children's rights and protection too.
Jean Zermatten is a member of the UN Committee for the Rights of the Child, since 2005 ; he has been elected as the Chairperson of this UN Treaty body, on May 2011.
In 2007, he receveid the title of Doctor honoris causa from the University of Fribourg
.
Jean Zermatten also contributed to draft law projects :
He was the President of the Swiss society for the criminal law for juveniles as well as the President of the International Association of Magistrates for Youth and Family (IAMYF).
Children's rights
Children's rights are the human rights of children with particular attention to the rights of special protection and care afforded to the young, including their right to association with both biological parents, human identity as well as the basic needs for food, universal state-paid education,...
. He's the son of the Swiss writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
Maurice Zermatten
Maurice Zermatten
Maurice Zermatten was a French-speaking Swiss writer.He was born in Saint-Martin, Valais, a small village situated in the Val d'Hérens, in the canton of Valais. He was first educated at the Ecole normale and then at the University of Fribourg...
. He's Chairman of the U.N.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Committee on the Rights of the Child
Committee on the Rights of the Child
The Committee on the Rights of the Child is a body of independent experts that monitors and reports on implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child by governments that ratify the Convention...
. He's the first Swiss member of this Committee.
After studying Law at the University of Fribourg
University of Fribourg
The University of Fribourg is a university in the city of Fribourg, Switzerland.The roots of the University can be traced back to 1582, when the notable Jesuit Peter Canisius founded the Collège Saint-Michel in the City of Fribourg. In 1763, an Academy of law was founded by the state of Frobourg...
, he became clerk, and later “ad hoc” judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
at the Criminal Court for Juveniles in Fribourg
Fribourg
Fribourg is the capital of the Swiss canton of Fribourg and the district of Sarine. It is located on both sides of the river Saane/Sarine, on the Swiss plateau, and is an important economic, administrative and educational center on the cultural border between German and French Switzerland...
. Then he's President and Dean of the Juvenile Court
Juvenile court
A juvenile court is a tribunal having special authority to try and pass judgments for crimes committed by children or adolescents who have not attained the age of majority...
of the Canton of Valais
Valais
The Valais is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland in the southwestern part of the country, around the valley of the Rhône from its headwaters to Lake Geneva, separating the Pennine Alps from the Bernese Alps. The canton is one of the drier parts of Switzerland in its central Rhône valley...
during 25 years. Between 1989 and 1999, he held lectures at the University of Fribourg
University of Fribourg
The University of Fribourg is a university in the city of Fribourg, Switzerland.The roots of the University can be traced back to 1582, when the notable Jesuit Peter Canisius founded the Collège Saint-Michel in the City of Fribourg. In 1763, an Academy of law was founded by the state of Frobourg...
(Social Work, Arts and Law School). In 2005, he founded the International Institute for the Rights of the Child which he still leads today. He is active in the direction of academics programms concerning children's rights and protection too.
Jean Zermatten is a member of the UN Committee for the Rights of the Child, since 2005 ; he has been elected as the Chairperson of this UN Treaty body, on May 2011.
In 2007, he receveid the title of Doctor honoris causa from the University of Fribourg
University of Fribourg
The University of Fribourg is a university in the city of Fribourg, Switzerland.The roots of the University can be traced back to 1582, when the notable Jesuit Peter Canisius founded the Collège Saint-Michel in the City of Fribourg. In 1763, an Academy of law was founded by the state of Frobourg...
.
Jean Zermatten also contributed to draft law projects :
- charged by the Swiss Confederation to draft a Project for the 1st unified Law for the criminal Procedure for Minors
- charged by the cantons from the Latin part of Switzerland to draft an inter-cantonal concordat on the implementation of measures for young offenders. This concordat has been accepted in October 2003
- collaborated to the creation of the first Swiss children’s rights network gathering more than 50 Swiss NGOs
He was the President of the Swiss society for the criminal law for juveniles as well as the President of the International Association of Magistrates for Youth and Family (IAMYF).
Publications
- 2007: Realizing the Rights of the Child (co-editor with Caroll Bellamy), Université de Zürich, Chair of Political Philosophy
- 2007: 18 Candles. The Convention of the Child Reaches Majority (co-editor with Jane Connors and Anastasia Panayotidis (OHCHR), IDE, Sion
- 2004 : 10 petits Contes pour ne pas s’endormir, Les droits de l’enfant, Éditions Saint-Augustin, Saint-Maurice
- 2002 : Tribunal des mineurs : le petit tailleur et autres histoires de galère, collection Aire de famille, St. Augustin, Suisse