Bengaluru: Child rights activists oppose move to amend Juvenile Act

Bengaluru: With the approval for the Amendment of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act by the Union Cabinet, which will have special provisions to tackle heinous offences such as murder and rape committed by juveniles in the age group of 16-18, the bill is all set to be discussed in Parliament. This has left child rights activists furious and disappointed.

The Center for Child and Law, Nation Law School, Bangalore, is attempting to persuade MPs with representations from children who have allegedly committed crimes. The center says it is important to understand what these children feel before making such an amendment.

Swagata Raha from Center for Child and Law, Nation Law School, says, “We have given a report to the standing committee. The proposed amendment violates the Constitution and is not keeping with the UN convention of child rights.” What do children, who have gone through the juvenile system, have to say about the Juvenile Justice Bill, 2014? What has been the impact of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000 on their lives? These are some questions policy-makers should ask, before amending the Act.

The Center for Child and Law, Nation Law School, had a discussion with boys aged between 15 and 20. Among them, two had spent some time at Special Home in Sumannahahalli. One juvenile said, “Experience is the best teacher in life; the current Juvenile Justice system gives us an opportunity to learn from our experience and reform.”

While another opined, “Many people have made mistakes, but they have changed their ways and have become leaders. Please give youngsters a chance to be guided, advised, supported and shown right path rather than be condemned to a life in jail.”