Press Release
Defence for Children International together with Child Rights International Network, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, World Organization against Torture, Penal Reform International, Terre des Hommes, International Catholic Child Bureau and World Vision calls on the government of Brazil to refrain from adopting the draft constitutional reform bill proposing to lower the age of criminal majority from 18 to 16 years of age.
A pioneer of children’s rights in Latin America, Brazil shall continue to lead by example and reject the draft bill.
Not only would the reform violate Brazil’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child but it would also be an ineffective means to address offences committed by children. Lowering the age of criminal majority sends a negative signal to society and the affected children alike, and fails to prioritise their particular needs as children.
Read the full joint statement here: