ON AIR
The Congress of the Republic of Peru has passed a controversial law modifying the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Responsibility for Adolescents. The new legislation allows teenagers aged 16 and 17 to be held criminally responsible for serious offenses, including murder-for-hire, extortion, and sexual assault.
The measure was approved with 44 votes in favor, 24 against, and 21 abstentions. Under the new law, minors who commit these crimes can be prosecuted as adults and serve sentences in detention centers, with prison terms ranging from six to eight years.
Congressman José Luna, the bill’s author, argued that the law aims to curb the use of minors by criminal organizations, which often exploit their legal immunity to involve them in violent acts.
However, the legislation has faced strong criticism from several institutions and legal experts. The Public Prosecutor’s Office expressed concern, warning that the law violates international commitments signed by the Peruvian state, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Congresswoman Flor Pablo also condemned the measure, stating that it fails to address the structural causes of youth crime and may negatively affect the rehabilitation and reintegration of young offenders.
Organizations such as UNICEF and the National Human Rights Coordinator have voiced serious concerns, warning that prosecuting minors as adults may breach international standards and hinder their social reintegration.
The implementation of this law represents a significant shift in Peru’s juvenile justice system, and its impact on society and adolescent rights will likely be closely monitored in the months to come.
