Congress approves controversial bill allowing life imprisonment for child rapist

[Judi Lynn]

by Adriaan Alsema June 19, 2020

Colombia’s congress approved a constitutional amendment to sentence convicted child rapists and killers to life amid major controversy.

The constitutional amendment proposed by the government of President Ivan Duque was approved unanimously as 30 senators boycotted the vote.

Whether the vote will be approved by the Constitutional Court is uncertain as the constitution explicitly prohibits life sentences and alleged irregularities in the voting process.

Duque’s flagship proposal announced in July last year was opposed by the government’s own criminal policy commission, which dismissed it it as “populist,” “ineffective” and “unconstitutional.”

. . .

Colombia, which saw the murder of 165 children under 14 last year, is among the most violent countries for children in the world, according to children’s rights organization Save the Children.

More:
https://colombiareports.com/congress-approves-controversial-bill-allowing-life-imprisonment-for-child-rapist/