US EditionEl Salvador’s Bukele signs reforms allowing life prison sentences for people as young as 12
The law removes juvenile sentencing caps and creates new criminal courts as Bukele says the changes will deter gang violence.
- On Wednesday, April 15, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele enacted reforms allowing courts to impose life imprisonment on minors as young as 12 for serious crimes including homicide and terrorism, effective April 26.
- These reforms build on a state of emergency active since March 2022, which has facilitated the detention of more than 90,000 people as officials argue the law prevents repeat offenses by gang members.
- The United Nations human rights office urged El Salvador to review the sentencing framework, noting life terms for minors will be reviewed only after 25 years, which "runs contrary to the Convention on the Rights of the Child."
- Previously, El Salvador capped prison terms at 60 years for adults and less for youths; the new law eliminates special juvenile procedures, though it maintains provisions for periodic sentence reviews every five years.
- Critics contend these measures reflect an increasingly authoritarian approach, citing mass trials where up to 900 people are processed at once, while Bukele recently stated he would remain in power for another decade if given the chance.
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69 Articles
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele passed constitutional reforms this past Wednesday to apply life imprisonment to minors from the age of 12 and adults for...
The new measures are intended for persons convicted of murder, terrorism or rape, although they include periodic review of sentences
Nayib Bukele, President of El Salvador, passed a new life imprisonment law that provides for the possibility of their application to minors under 12 years of age.According to the most recent publication of the Diario Oficial, life sentences may begin to apply as of April 26th. Human rights and children's organizations have therefore expressed their concern, calling for a thorough review to prioritize other aspects such as rehabilitation and rein…
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has signed a new series of constitutional amendments that allow 12-year-old children in the Central American country to receive a life sentence. The reform was already adopted last month by parliament, which is dominated by Bukele's party, Nuevas Ideas. The amendment states that anyone aged 12 and over can receive a life sentence for murder or rape, or complicity therein. The law also states that "terrorists," s…
El Salvador Passes Law Allowing Life Sentences for Children as Young as 12 for Homicide, Rape, & Having Gang Affiliations
Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date. El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has signed into law a constitutional reform allowing life prison sentences for children as young as 12. Some shit you should know before you…
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