To force children into crime and subjecting them to punishment is unacceptable: HRCM

The practice forcing children into criminal activities and subjecting them to the subsequent punishments is unacceptable, said the chief human rights institution of the State, Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM), in a statement on the occasion of children’s day, today.

“Forcing children to punishment for the actions of adults will not be accepted. Crimes by children must be investigated in a fair manner and the adults who forced them into crimes must face punishment by law,” HRCM’s statement read.

Children who commit crimes often indulge without understanding the full gravity of their actions and the practice of take advantage of such children exist in the Maldivian society, noted HRCM. The society must accept that children take part in criminal activities due to shortcomings in their upbringing, the commission said.

HRCM, in its statement on the occasion of children’ day 2014, called on the people to prioritize the interests of the children and make all arrangements to the general benefit of children, in their day to day lives.