Who Can Forgive a Child’s Rights?

Updated: October 8, 2026 11:13 pm

I ask myself this question in connection with a court case that has been reported in the media in recent days.

The case dates back to 2019, when the girl was just 5 years old, and concerns sexual acts committed against her by a 19-year-old neighbour. Today that girl is 12, and that person is 24. The court proceedings have also concluded in recent days.

What concerns me is not only the court's ruling.

A 5-year-old child did not understand what had happened. The 19-year-old youth had already reached adulthood and was old enough to understand the responsibility for his actions.

Today that child is 12 years old. She is still a child.

The 24-year-old person, meanwhile, is already an adult.

Now let us ask ourselves a little more.

A father can forgive his child. A family can make its own decision. A person can also forgive someone in his or her personal relationship.

But when it comes to a child's rights, can this remain merely an internal family matter?

Can adults forgive a child's rights on his or her behalf?

I do not intend to accuse anyone, or to interfere in anyone's upbringing, family values or personal decision. The law is also in place, and so is the court.

But as a journalist, I have the right to ask questions.

And I put this question to society:

If a 5-year-old child had no means of understanding what had happened, how can adults years later determine his or her rights by saying "I forgave"?

Perhaps for this very reason we should not simply read about this matter as a single court news item and move on.

In your opinion, who should have the final say on a child's rights?

Prepared by:Fira Jalilova