The campaigners, from UK charity Y Care International, lobbied the Human Rights Council at its Tenth Session in Geneva last month. Their participation was rewarded when an entire paragraph written by the young people, on the rehabilitation and reintegration of former young offenders, was included in the latest resolution on juvenile justice.
The young people, part of Y Care International's Youth Justice in Action Campaign, originate from England, Ireland, Honduras, Sierra Leone and South Africa. They all have direct experience of youth justice systems.
One member of the group, Daniella Abbate from London, said: "Putting young people in prison should be a last resort. When young offenders are released, it's our responsibility to reach out to them, and help them to make them whole again."
She called for local authorities in England to be better trained in speaking to young people, understanding them, and treating them with humanity and respect.
