In response to recent incidents involving minors in criminal activities, Home Minister Ali Ihsan has announced plans to establish a special facility aimed at rehabilitating children involved in various crimes. The announcement came during a press conference following a case of children assaulting another child in a mosque in Aa. Rasdhoo.
Minister Ihsan revealed that discussions are underway to create a dedicated facility on a separate island to provide care and rehabilitation for children who come under state custody due to their involvement in criminal activities. Under the proposed plan, children will be placed under state care for a period of 18 years, during which they will receive religious education, formal schooling tailored to their age, behavioral therapy, and individualized psycho-social intervention programs.
Authorities estimate that there are approximately 200 children under the age of 18 currently living in criminal environments across the Maldives. Minister Ihsan also addressed the government's intention to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 12 years, citing data from the Juvenile Justice Department indicating the presence of many children aged 12 to 13 in criminal environments.
The proposed changes to the law have been identified by the government and are now under review by the Attorney General's Office. Minister Ihsan expressed confidence that such legislative reforms will be implemented within the next five years, emphasizing the need to align Maldives' legal framework with international standards, where the age of criminal responsibility typically ranges from 12 to 13 years in most civilized nations.
Minister Ihsan revealed that discussions are underway to create a dedicated facility on a separate island to provide care and rehabilitation for children who come under state custody due to their involvement in criminal activities. Under the proposed plan, children will be placed under state care for a period of 18 years, during which they will receive religious education, formal schooling tailored to their age, behavioral therapy, and individualized psycho-social intervention programs.
Authorities estimate that there are approximately 200 children under the age of 18 currently living in criminal environments across the Maldives. Minister Ihsan also addressed the government's intention to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 12 years, citing data from the Juvenile Justice Department indicating the presence of many children aged 12 to 13 in criminal environments.
The proposed changes to the law have been identified by the government and are now under review by the Attorney General's Office. Minister Ihsan expressed confidence that such legislative reforms will be implemented within the next five years, emphasizing the need to align Maldives' legal framework with international standards, where the age of criminal responsibility typically ranges from 12 to 13 years in most civilized nations.
