Youth Justice

Children around the world who are arrested and incarcerated for alleged wrongdoing are often denied the protections they are entitled to under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In many countries, children are charged and sentenced for acts that should not be crimes—such as truancy or misbehavior at home. Many states unnecessarily incarcerate children and youth, instead of prioritizing treatment, support systems, and education to address behavior. Some states set a minimum age of criminal responsibility lower than the internationally acceptable age of 14. Some states also treat certain children as if they were adults during their trial and sentencing. Sentences of death, life without parole, and corporal punishment are still handed down in some countries, in violation of international law. The international prohibition on detaining children with adults is also often violated.