Overview
- The reforms, which take effect April 26, allow life in prison for offenders from age 12 for homicide, femicide, rape, and gang membership.
- Judges must review life terms on a set timetable starting after 25 years for minors and after 30 to 40 years for adults, with follow-up reviews every five years.
- The package converts juvenile courts into criminal courts beginning April 26, shifting serious cases involving children into the regular criminal system.
- UN bodies including the child-rights committee, UNICEF, and the human-rights office say life terms for minors violate international standards and call for a reconsideration.
- The government says the overhaul closes gaps in a 2022 anti-gang drive, replacing prior juvenile caps of 10 to 20 years with far longer terms.