[14 May 2012] - The Commissioner for Fundamental Rights is deeply concerned about the draft [proposal] of the Hungarian Criminal Code [to decrease] the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 14 to 12 years in some cases, which may result in the deprivation of liberty for [children found guilty of an offence].
...The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the General Comments of the CRC Committee embody a clear direction and spirit to build a child-friendly/centered justice system aiming to help, support, and reintegrate children who come into conflict with the law. In general, criminal statistics on, and the nature of, crimes committed by persons under 18 also do not support [the proposed] amendment. [According to the CRC], deprivation of liberty can be used only as last resort and for the shortest time possible.
The Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, as Children’s Rights Ombudsman, believes that problems of ‘deviant’ children can be solved primarily not with criminal sanctions, but in close and dialogue-based cooperation with child care professionals, such as social workers, child care institutions, health care professionals, schools, etc., [so as] to support prevention emphasising children’s best interests and respecting their universal rights.
Further Information:
- HUNGARY: Commissioner for Fundamental Rights files two petitions against confinement and detention of juvenile offenders (18 April 2012)
- JUVENILE JUSTICE: States lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility (CRIN, March 2012)
- CRIN Policy Paper: We need to stop making children criminals
- More resources on children in conflict with the law
- More on children's rights in Hungary
Organisation Contact Details:
Commissioner for Fundamental Rights - Hungary
1387 Budapest, PO Box: 40
H - 1051 Budapest
Nádor utca 22.
Tel: +36 475 7100
Email: lux.agnes@ajbh.hu
Website: (General): www.ajbh.hu (Children's website): www.gyermekjogok.ajbh.hu
Last updated 07/06/2012 10:29:25
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