HRW adds voice against lowering age of criminal responsibility

HUMAN RIGHTS Watch (HRW) called on Philippine lawmakers to dismiss plans of lowering the age of criminal liability from 15 to 12, citing that it will violate “international legal obligations.” The Philippines ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which HRW pointed out indicates that “the arrest, detention, or imprisonment of children should only be a last resort, and rehabilitation is a priority.” The CRC also states that the minimum age of criminal responsibility should be at least 14 years old. In a statement on Feb. 2, HRW Philippine Researcher Carlos H. Conde said, “Legislators should drop the proposed law and refocus their energies on reforming existing government facilities for children or replacing them with better options.” House Bill 8858, titled An Act Expanding the Scope of the Reformation and Rehabilitation of Children in Conflict with the Law and Strengthening the Social Reintegration Programs, aims to amend Republic Act. 9344, The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006. “The Philippine government should be looking for ways to improve the rehabilitation of children who have broken the law, not putting more and younger children in horrible detention facilities out of the public view,” Mr. Conde said. — Gillian M. Cortez