Scotland to act on minimum age of criminal responsibilty
?Many countries have a higher MACR. Latin American countries mostly set the level at 18 years while Scandinavian countries set it at 15. Some African countries such as Angola also meet the UN standard with a MACR of 14 years.?
Scotland is to raise its minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) from 8 years to 12 the age was one of the lowest in Europe (link):
The age set in the Isle of Man and UK is ten years which falls well below the limit proposed by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child which urges countries to set a MACR at no less than 14
Last year the Celtic League urged the DHA in Mann to address the issue but they were unwilling we said:
?Given the positive focus that interventionist policies appear to have, it seems unfortunate that the Department (and Government) believe that the back-stop of the criminal justice system is needed ? remember we are talking of children who can be as young as 10 years of age.?
?In recent years the Isle of Man has taken a leading position in these islands in reflecting youth maturity. It introduced a lower voting age in a step which was subsequently mirrored, albeit at this stage only for the referendum, in Scotland.
?Surely, if the island can reflect the changing norms of youth maturity it can also reflect in the criminal justice system an accurate age of youth immaturity?? (Link):
Many countries have a higher MACR. Latin American countries mostly set the level at 18 years while Scandinavian countries set it at 15. Some African countries such as Angola also meet the UN standard with a MACR of 14 years.
Even comparatively authoritarian regimes like Russia and China have a limit (14 ? 16) that meets the UN guideline.
Related link:
BERNARD MOFFATT
Public Relations Officer Mannin Branch
Issued by: The Mannin branch of the Celtic League.
02/12/16
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