Mauritius considers lowering criminal responsibility age to 12

The Mauritian government is considering amending the Children’s Act to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 14 to 12 years. This proposal follows recent incidents of violence and juvenile delinquency in the country.

In response to the potential change, the government has opted for a consultative approach rather than immediate legislation. A motion will be presented to the National Assembly to establish a Select Committee. This committee is tasked with investigating the root causes of youth violence and evaluating the appropriateness of amendments regarding criminal responsibility, parental responsibility, and the incitement of minors to commit offenses.

Human rights organizations, including Lawwa Lavenir and DIS-MOI (Droits Humains Océan Indien), have expressed strong opposition to the move. They argue that lowering the age would be a regression in child protection and contradicts United Nations recommendations, which suggest a minimum age of 14. These groups advocate for a focus on prevention, psychosocial support, and educational rehabilitation rather than increased criminal sanctions for young children.