Prosecutor General Urges Rehabilitation for Juvenile Offenders
Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem stresses rehabilitation as the key solution for juvenile offenders, prompted by a troubling video showing two teenagers bullying and assaulting a minor in AA. Rasdhoo, after attending Tarawih prayers on Friday evening.
The footage, which circulated widely across both public and media platforms, captured the distressing scene of two teenagers verbally abusing and relentlessly beating a young individual, culminating in the pouring of water over his head.
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In response to the public outcry and media attention garnered by the video, a special team from the Maldives Police Service was promptly dispatched to Rasdhoo to launch an investigation into the incident.
Addressing the issue, Shameem stressed that the most effective approach towards juvenile offenders is through rehabilitation. He asserted that the Maldives possess trained professionals equipped to address such matters effectively.
Furthermore, Shameem advocated for state-initiated rehabilitation programmes tailored specifically for juvenile offenders, citing their potential effectiveness as a preventive measure.
Highlighting the legal age of criminal culpability at 15 years, Shameem underscored the importance of holding offenders below this threshold accountable for their actions. He affirmed the existence of a functioning system within the Maldives aimed at addressing the transgressions of minor offenders.
In a statement posted on social media, Shameem reflected on the fallibility of youth, stating, “We all make mistakes during childhood, but if we were punished and jailed for our past mistakes, we would not have people advocating on these matters today.”
Furthermore, the Prosecutor General emphasised that globally, the prevailing approach towards juvenile offenders favours rehabilitation over incarceration. He cautioned against the proposition of lowering the age of criminal culpability, arguing that such measures fail to address the root causes of juvenile delinquency.
Shameem warned of the potential consequences of incarcerating minors, suggesting that it could perpetuate a cycle of criminality, ultimately leading to a generation of hardened offenders resistant to reform.
In light of these considerations, Shameem reiterated his stance on rehabilitation as the most viable solution for addressing juvenile delinquency, affirming the necessity of proactive measures to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of young offenders into society.
