STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Lowering the legal age of what defines a minor will not solve a problem as complex as juvenile delinquency, said a coalition of NGOs that work with child rights.

The statement was sent by Child Rights Advocacy Coalition in Bangladesh, National Girl Child Advocacy Forum, Girls Not Brides and Joining Forces Bangladesh.

“We too are concerned about youth crime but we do not think that giving out stricter punishments will solve this. Instead, this will increase underage marriage and child labour,” said the statement.

Instead, it must be examined why juveniles are becoming involved in different types of crime, who are exploiting them to hold on to power and how effective the youth development centres are at tackling juvenile delinquency, the statement read.

It also must be seen whether children have the scope for extra-curricular activities and whether our education system can instill moral values.