El Salvador passes law allowing life sentences for minors aged 12 and under

El Salvador Passes New Law Allowing Life Imprisonment for Minors as Young as 12

The government of El Salvador has released a new law that will allow authorities to impose life imprisonment on minors as young as 12 for severe crimes, including homicide, terrorism, and rape. The law is set to take effect on April 26.

As part of the country’s ongoing efforts to combat gang violence, the law is part of a suite of hardline policies aimed at reducing crime. President Nayib Bukele has overseen a four-year-long state of emergency that has suspended certain civil liberties in favor of increased police and military powers.

Since March 2022, El Salvador has been under a state of emergency that has resulted in the arrest and imprisonment of over 90,000 people. Human Rights Watch estimates that nearly 1.9 percent of the population is behind bars, one of the highest rates in the world.

The new law was approved as part of a constitutional amendment in March, championed by President Bukele’s Nuevas Ideas party. The amendment allows for life sentences to be imposed on minors without certain legal protections being lifted.

Critics have expressed concerns about the potential human rights implications of the new law. Groups such as UNICEF have warned that imprisonment can result in severe consequences on child and adolescent development, and that such measures are unlikely to reduce crime overall.

The International Group of Experts for the Investigation of Human Rights Violations under the State of Emergency in El Salvador has published a report alleging crimes against humanity committed over the last four years. The report highlights concerns about the effectiveness and fairness of the country’s anti-crime measures.

The new law will lift certain legal protections for youth offenders, but it also allows for periodic sentence reviews and supervised release.

Source: Al Jazeera