El Salvador Approves Life Sentences for Minors Starting at Age 12
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AI Summary
On April 26, significant constitutional reforms in El Salvador will take effect, allowing life sentences for minors as young as 12 convicted of serious crimes such as homicide, femicide, and rape. These changes also entail amendments to various laws, including the criminal code and juvenile justice laws, transforming juvenile courts into criminal courts responsible for life sentence cases. International organizations, including the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, have expressed grave concerns, advocating for rehabilitation over incarceration for youth offenders. The Salvadoran government has yet to respond to these criticisms amid a state of emergency that has led to mass incarcerations, with over 90,000 people detained since 2022, despite claims of a reduction in homicide rates.
Key Details: • Reforms effective from April 26, 2023. • Life sentences applicable for minors aged 12 and older. • Concerns raised by international bodies regarding youth rehabilitation. • Over 90,000 individuals detained under the current state of emergency.