In 2005, Defence for Children International has started a campaign to reduce the number of children in detention worldwide. Detention of children is not in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child if it is not used as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time.

In order to minimize the number of children that is deprived of their liberty, Defence for Children International is now:

• informing children, parents, lawyers and government officials of the children’s rights (using amongst others fact sheets and a website: www.kidsbehindbars.org);
• doing research and lobbying on the international level;
• promoting regional and national campaigns by Defence for Children national sections.