ISTANBUL, TURKEY--(Marketwired - Sep 8, 2013) - Almas Jiwani, President of UN Women Canada National Committee will be attending the Istanbul International Crime and Punishment Film Festival. As an invited guest lecturer of the University of Istanbul and its Faculty of Law, Ms. Jiwani will provide a keynote address and discuss the report on Canada's Juvenile Justice System during high level panel discussions.

Canada has been often criticized as having a "one-size-fits-all" approach to a youth justice system that is paternalistic and does not adequately protect the human rights of children. In her report, Jiwani will highlight the improvements being made to Canada's youth justice system, since ratifying the UN Convention on Rights of the Child, but draw attention to how women's rights are still need improvement and need to be an important focus of the justice system.

"I am pleased to return to the International Film Festival on Crime and Punishment for a second year in a row and share with the international community the strong juvenile justice system that Canada has in place, but also discuss where it falls short, particularly when it comes to meeting women's rights. I also look forward to learning about what other countries are doing and sharing best practices on how the system can be improved at home," says Almas Jiwani.

Prof. Dr. Adem Sözüer, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Istanbul University, says "Almas contributed to the success of last year's Conference with her keynote address and we are delighted to have her return again this year and present Canada's report on its juvenile justice system. We are also honored to appoint her on our executive advisory board. The Conference presents an opportunity to the international community to discuss and review where justice systems fail to meet certain standards and what can be done to reform these systems."

In its third years, the International Crime and Punishment Film Festival follows upon the success of the first two Film Festivals held by Istanbul University in 2011 and 2012. The 2013 Festival will focus on a fundamental and crucial societal issue facing every country, "Juvenile Justice". The theme will be explored from both cinematic and academic perspectives, with presentations from several countries giving a report on the status of juvenile justice.

Jiwani will present Canada's country report on Juvenile Justice on Monday, September 16, 2013, at 9 a.m. at the Istanbul University Congress Culture Centre.

About the International Crime and Punishment Festival

The 3rd International Crime and Punishment Festival will be held in Istanbul from September 13 to 19, 2013 and will offer the audience a rich film program and a well-rounded academic program. This year the Festival will focus on a fundamental and crucial societal issue facing every country, "Juvenile Justice". This theme will be explored from both cinematic and scientific perspectives and child-friendly resolutions will be discussed throughout the Festival. For more information visit, http://icapff.com/en/festival.php