Recruitment of children by organized crime must be punished: Brenda Fraga – MonitorExpresso.com

Morelia, Michoacán. – In view of the alarming increase in recruitment and use of children and adolescents by criminal groups, the Local Deputy of the Labor Party, Brenda Frgaga Gutiérrez, presented an initiative to legally combat this problem and protect the rights of children and adolescents, in such a way that effective prevention and protection measures are applied. In addition to eliminating the omission of the crime of recruitment of minors by organized crime, since it puts at risk young people who can be victims of exploitation and violence, according to a statement. The objective of this reform proposal is to criminalize the recruitment of children and adolescents by organized crime. The prevention of this practice is essential to address this problem through laws that protect the rights of victims of recruitment by organized crime. It is essential that criminal justice systems and laws adequately address the issue and that there is no age discrimination in law enforcement. This implies the implementation of effective measures to prevent the recruitment of minors.” The initiative defines children and adolescents from a legal perspective, considering different stages. Childhood refers to children under twelve years of age, while adolescence covers from twelve to before the age of eighteen. For this reason, it seeks to address recruitment from a perspective of guaranteeing the rights of victims and focuses on the protection of children as the main victim. This reform proposes the creation of a specific crime of recruitment of minors by organized crime, with appropriate sanctions. For this reason, Fraga Gutiérrez warned of the need to establish this proposal in the Law because it is a practice that lacerates children and society, for this reason the principle of the best interests of the child must be privileged, which must be considered in all decisions that affect them. Failure to criminalize the crime of recruitment of minors by organized crime can have devastating consequences. Recruited children often face a high risk of injury or even killing in criminal conflicts. In addition, they can get caught up in a cycle of violence and crime, and their participation can influence other young people in their communities, thus perpetuating the problem.” In this way, Brenda Fraga makes it clear that excluding the crime of recruitment of minors by organized crime puts children and young people at risk who can be victims of exploitation and violence.

Original source in Spanish