El Salvador Enacts Life Sentences for Minors Aged 12 and Older
El Salvador has enacted controversial constitutional reforms permitting life imprisonment for individuals as young as 12 convicted of severe crimes like homicide and gang membership. Signed by President Nayib Bukele, the law intensifies his hardline crackdown on gangs, which has already imprisoned over 90,000 people since 2022. While the government argues these measures are necessary for public safety, international human rights organizations condemn the legislation as a violation of children's rights and due process. The move further consolidates Bukele’s power amid concerns over democratic erosion and arbitrary detentions.
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El Salvador Authorizes Life Imprisonment for Minors Aged 12 and Older
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has promulgated a controversial constitutional reform authorizing life imprisonment for minors aged 12 and older. The legislation, passed by the Legislative Assembly last month, targets severe crimes including homicide, femicide, rape, and gang membership. Replacing previous laws that capped juvenile sentences at 60 years, the new text takes effect on April 26, 2026, and establishes specialized criminal courts for trying minors. While it mandates periodic reviews of life sentences based on age and crime severity, the move intensifies El Salvador's repressive security strategy. Since declaring a state of emergency in March 2022, the government has imprisoned approximately 91,650 individuals, over 1% of the population, often citing vague accusations against alleged gang members. Human rights organizations have condemned the mass detentions and suspension of constitutional rights as arbitrary. Critics argue the crackdown also targets political opponents, journalists, and activists, forcing many into exile. This reform coincides with Bukele’s removal of presidential term limits, allowing him to remain in power indefinitely. The international community remains concerned about the erosion of due process and fundamental freedoms in the country.
Le Figaro - Actualité en direct et informations en continuEl Salvador’s Bukele Signs Law Allowing Life Sentences for Minors as Young as 12
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has signed constitutional reforms into law that permit life prison sentences for individuals as young as 12 years old. The legislation, passed by the Legislative Assembly controlled by Bukele’s party, applies to those convicted of serious crimes such as homicide, femicide, rape, and gang membership. Previously, the maximum sentence was 60 years for adults. The reforms, effective April 26, also establish new criminal courts and mandate periodic reviews of life terms based on the convict's age and crime severity. This move intensifies Bukele’s controversial war on gangs, which has seen over 91,000 detainees since 2022 under a prolonged state of emergency. While the crackdown has significantly reduced homicide rates and boosted Bukele’s popularity, it has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations for arbitrary detentions, mass trials, and the erosion of democratic checks and balances. Critics argue these measures further undermine El Salvador’s fragile democracy, especially following recent reforms eliminating presidential term limits. The government maintains that harsh penalties are necessary to ensure gang members never return to the streets, despite allegations of widespread human rights abuses and the detention of political opponents and journalists.
AP NewsEl Salvador President Bukele Signs Law Allowing Life Sentences for Minors
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has signed controversial legal reforms that permit life imprisonment for individuals as young as twelve years old. The new legislation, enacted in early 2026, significantly lowers the age of criminal responsibility for severe offenses. These harsh penalties apply to those convicted of committing or acting as accomplices in serious crimes, including homicide, femicide, rape, and gang membership. The move underscores Bukele's continued hardline approach to security and crime reduction in El Salvador, a strategy that has drawn both domestic support for improved safety and international criticism from human rights organizations regarding juvenile justice standards. The signing was highlighted during a period of diplomatic engagement, with Bukele appearing alongside the president-elect of Chile in San Salvador. This development marks a significant shift in the country's penal code, aligning with the administration's broader crackdown on gang violence and organized crime. Critics argue that imposing adult-level sentences on children violates international human rights conventions, while supporters claim it is necessary to dismantle entrenched criminal networks that often recruit minors. The reforms represent a pivotal moment in El Salvador's ongoing struggle with public security and legal accountability.
nprBukele Signs Reforms Allowing Life Sentences for Children as Young as 12
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has signed constitutional reforms into law that permit life prison sentences for individuals as young as 12 years old. The legislation, passed by the Legislative Assembly controlled by Bukele’s party, applies to convictions for severe crimes including homicide, femicide, rape, and gang membership. Previously, the maximum sentence in El Salvador was 60 years for adults. The reforms, effective April 26, also establish new criminal courts and mandate periodic reviews of life terms based on the convict's age and crime severity. This move intensifies Bukele’s controversial war on gangs, which began with a state of emergency in 2022 and has resulted in the detention of over 91,000 people, representing more than 1% of the population. While the crackdown has significantly reduced homicide rates and boosted Bukele’s popularity, it has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations for arbitrary detentions, lack of due process, and the erosion of democratic checks and balances. Critics argue these measures further consolidate Bukele’s power, following recent changes eliminating presidential term limits.
nprEl Salvador Enacts Law Allowing Life Sentences for Minors Aged 12 and Older
El Salvador has officially published a new law permitting life imprisonment for minors as young as 12 convicted of severe crimes, including homicide, terrorism, and rape. The legislation, championed by President Nayib Bukele and approved via constitutional amendment in March, is scheduled to take effect on April 26, 2026. This measure extends the government's hardline crackdown on gang violence, which has been ongoing under a state of emergency since March 2022. During this period, over 90,000 individuals have been imprisoned, resulting in one of the world's highest incarceration rates. While the administration argues these strict penalties are necessary to combat violent crime, the move has drawn sharp criticism from international human rights organizations. UNICEF and the UN Committee on the Rights of Child expressed deep concern, stating that sentencing children to life in prison violates the Convention on the Rights of the Child. They argue that such measures hinder rehabilitation and reintegration, potentially causing long-term developmental harm without effectively reducing overall crime rates. The law reflects the dominant political control of Bukele’s Nuevas Ideas party in the legislative assembly.
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