Toni Romero (asker) Jun 10, 2011:

Thank you very much to both For your comments and reasoning about it. In fact I thought about this tutela right after making the question, since the whole document is talking about the children's custodians, the adoption conditions, and so on, so I appreciate very much your investigation, Charles. Please post some answer and I'll close the question tomorrow. Have a very nice weekend (it's a long one for us in Spain, since it's holiday on Monday).

Charles Davis Jun 10, 2011:

(contd.)
I think "charges" probably means dependent minors: those under the protection of the state. Later in the document, when discussing adoptions, it says: “If the adoption is cancelled, the child shall be given back, by the court decision, to his parents. In the absence of the parents, and also if the child's return to his parents is contrary to his/her interests, the child shall be put into the charge of the trusteeship and guardianship authority.” Perhaps “charges” refers to children in this situation.

In any case, either of your suggestions would be acceptable, I think. I see that FVS recommends the first, and I am happy to endorse that. In fact I wondered whether “tutela” might be the appropriate concept, and spent a few minutes this morning reading about it.

Charles Davis Jun 10, 2011:

Hi Toni I think there is a strong chance that it means something like that, though it is impossible to be sure. "Protection of charges", except in the sense of financial charges, is not standard English, so we have to guess what they meant to say.

In bad English, "protection of charges" might mean "protection of those charged" or "protection (defence) from/against (criminal) charges". Since the context is judicial, and the rights of minors facing criminal charges are discussed in detail later in the document, this is a possibility to be considered. However, I don't think it's likely; "material and social protection" suggests to me that this is not about protecting the rights of those facing court proceedings but about protecting children in society from abuse.

With all respect to José, whose answer is characteristically thoughtful and well argued, I don't think "charges" simply means "rights" here. If they had meant "rights" they would have used that word, which occurs many times in this document.
(contd.)

FVS (X) Jun 10, 2011:

Hi Toni I'd go with the first one, it's a bit more general and less specific since we are not really sure of the answer.

Que tengas un buen finde.

Toni Romero (asker) Jun 10, 2011:

@Charles and FVS Sorry for not replying earlier. I've been out the whole morning. Yes, you are right, the writting is horrible, though it is not machine, I can assure you, and indeed it is about child rights, so in light of what you are saying I'm inclined to think that with charges they refer to the childs (or minors) under the authorities' care or custody. Thank you very much, Charles, for your enlightment, and thank you, FVS, for that first impression.

So, what do you think about "protección de las personas bajo tutela" or "protección de las personas al cuidado de las instituciones"?

Charles Davis Jun 10, 2011:

The document (which I have found) is about child rights, so it probably refers to protection of minors, but the precise sense of "charges" is very difficult to deduce.

FVS (X) Jun 10, 2011:

Charles That was my first impression but as you say it is rubbish English and could mean lots of things.

Charles Davis Jun 10, 2011:

Not native English This text was written either by a machine or by someone with an imperfect grasp of English. "As a result of successfully implemented the court legal reforms" is horrible, "from previous legal system" needs a definite article, the comma after "principle" should not be there (unless another is added after "system"), and so on. Therefore "protection of charges" may not be a proper English term at all. The first thing "charge" suggests to me here is the somewhat archaic sense of "[count noun] a person or thing entrusted to the care of someone: the babysitter watched over her charges" (Oxford), but I really don't know.

FVS (X) Jun 10, 2011:

Hi Toni. Very good question. Wish I knew the answer. One possibility for 'charges' is those in custody but this is purely speculation. I hope the wider context will help.