Italy eases prosecution of minors aged 14-17 to curb youth gangs

Italy is moving to make it easier to prosecute minors between the ages of 14 and 17, with the Council of Ministers approving a bill aimed at combating juvenile crime. The proposed reform, which still requires parliamentary approval, does not lower the age of criminal responsibility, which remains at 14, but significantly alters the evaluation mechanism.

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Those who commit mistakes must be held accountable for their actions. Even if they are minors (...) Those who assault, rob, or cause damage must always pay. Even if they are 15 or 16 years old. That's why we have acted and continue to act.

Under the current system, judges must assess a minor's capacity to understand and decide at the time of the offense on a case-by-case basis. The new legislation introduces a rebuttable presumption of criminal responsibility, meaning minors will generally be considered capable of understanding their actions unless proven otherwise.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated in a social media video that accountability is essential, even for minors. "Those who commit mistakes must be held accountable for their actions. Even if they are minors... Those who assault, rob, or cause damage must always pay. Even if they are 15 or 16 years old. That's why we have acted and continue to act," she said. Meloni emphasized that the law targets those who exploit minors and those who believe they can act with impunity.

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The law is mainly aimed at those who believe they are untouchable and exploit minors for their own businesses, but it also serves to punish those boys who think they can do whatever they want because they know nothing will happen to them.

The government's push for stricter measures against juvenile gangs, known as 'Maranza,' follows earlier legislation in February that introduced prison sentences for carrying knives without justification. However, the proposed reform has faced criticism. UNICEF Italy expressed "great concern," arguing that any measures concerning minors must prioritize their well-being and development, as stipulated by the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The organization advocates for a juvenile justice system focused on education and reintegration rather than solely punishment, and highlights the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's recommendation for individual assessments of adolescent maturity.

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great concern