President Javier Milei requested in the Legislative Assembly a package of punitive measures that includes lowering the age of criminal responsibility. In response, the head of the Penal Legislation Commission, Laura Rodríguez Machado, from the PRO and close to Patricia Bullrich, is preparing an intense work agenda that will begin on Wednesday, the 12th of this month.
According to sources from the Argentine News Agency, Rodríguez Machado will convene a large plenary session of various commissions to discuss a reform of the Juvenile Penal Regime. The debate gained prominence after the murder of Kim in La Plata, perpetrated by two adolescents, which has once again focused the discussion on the age of criminal responsibility in Argentina.
The project presented by the Executive Power last June, with the backing of Bullrich, proposes lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 13 years. Currently, there are another 12 initiatives in parliament that address this issue from different approaches. As a result of these events, the national government’s interest in reforming the juvenile penal regime has been revived.
The project not only deals with the age of criminal responsibility but also addresses the types of punishable crimes for minors, prison sentences, alternative punishments, rehabilitative measures, among other aspects. It proposes a range of alternative sanctions and rehabilitation programs aimed at preventing recidivism among young offenders.
Rodríguez Machado emphasized the importance of providing state support and various forms of reduced prison sentences for those under 16 years old, depending on the crime committed. A total of 113 lawmakers will participate in the debate, reflecting the significance of this discussion in the lower house.
