The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on second reading the bill seeking to lower the criminal responsibility of youth offenders to 12 years old. Lawmakers initially proposed to set it to 9 years old but amendments were made after a consensus was reached.
Here’s a look at how some of the Philippines neighbors in Asia are faring in terms of setting the minimum age of holding their juvenile offenders accountable for crimes committed.
==
1. INDONESIA (from 8 to 12 years old)
Indonesia’s law set the age of criminal responsibility to 8 years old.
However, a new law on the Juvenile Justice System came to force in 2014 which increases the minimum age of trial from 8 to 12 years old. The new law also encourages use of restorative justice practices among others.
[Source: UNICEF.org]
2. THAILAND (7 years old)
In Thailand, criminal responsibility starts when the child is older than 7 years old. But while the child cannot be punished until he is over 14 years old, the court has the power to decide whether to release him to his parents or guardians under certain conditions or send him to a training school for a designated period, among others.
[Source: Child Rights International Network (CRIN)]
3. MALAYSIA (10 years old)
The Penal Code set the age of criminal responsibility to 10 years old. But the Syariah Criminal Offences Act of 1997 states that children are held criminally responsible from the onset of puberty, while crimes under the Internal Security Act can be prosecuted regardless of age.
[Source: Child Rights International Network (CRIN)]
4. SINGAPORE (7 years old)
The Penal Code in Singapore set the age of criminal responsibility at 7 years old. Child offenders aged 16-17 are tried as adults.
[Source: Child Rights International Network (CRIN)]
5. VIETNAM (14 years old)
The current age for criminal responsibility in Vietnam is at 14. Child offenders aged 14 and older are criminally responsible for very serious crimes while children 16 or older are criminally liable for any offense.
Comments (0)