The bishop of La Rioja and president of the Social Pastoral of the Episcopal Conference, Monsignor Dante Braida, affirmed that it is not necessary to lower the age of criminal responsibility, but rather concrete proposals should be presented for minors who commit crimes. In the context of the committee debate on the project presented in the Chamber of Deputies, Braida expressed that the State must take responsibility for this issue and provide solutions that help adolescents. He stressed the importance of joint work between clubs, neighborhood associations, and the educational system, as well as strengthening the alliance between schools and families to address the root causes of juvenile delinquency. "Putting a young person in a situation of confinement does not solve the root problem," he concluded.
Braida emphasized the need to promote citizen participation in democracy as part of the search for effective solutions to address the situation of minors who commit crimes. On the other hand, the government's proposal to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 14 years has the support of the PRO blocks, the Radical Civic Union (UCR), Federal Innovation, Civic Coalition, and some sectors of Federal Encounter. In contrast, legislators who firmly oppose this initiative belong to the spaces of Union for the Homeland (UxP), Left Front (FIT), as well as some socialist deputies and human rights organizations.
The president of the Penal Legislation Commission, Laura RodrÃguez Machado (PRO), called for a plenary session of the committees to issue an opinion on the project. At the same time, the government seeks to obtain the signature of the same as soon as possible to be able to address it before the end of May, according to parliamentary sources reported by the Argentine News Agency. In this context, Braida pointed out the importance of seeking effective alternatives to address the problems of minors in conflict with the law, rather than focusing on lowering the age of criminal responsibility as the only solution.
