Captured pirate may be a juvenile and entitled to protections under international law

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WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. officials, in deciding how to handle the lone surviving pirate from the hostage-taking of an American ship captain, must weigh the violence of the suspect's actions against his surprisingly young age.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Monday the four pirates were between 17 and 19 years old.

Authorities had previously put the surviving Somali suspect's age at somewhere from 16 to 20.

...

Jo Becker, a D.C.-based advocate for Human Rights Watch, said if the pirate suspect is in fact 16 or 17 years old, "he would certainly be entitled to protections under international law that allow for lower culpability of juveniles involved in crimes."

Becker says international law recognizes that people under 18 are "less developed, less mature, and more easily manipulated by adults."

Ideally, Becker said, an underage suspect would be tried in a juvenile court, with special protections given his age. "He would need to have access to family members. Throughout the whole process, there needs to be a special view to his rehabilitation," she added.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9...;show_article=1

Edited April 13, 2009 by Randomizer

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I think special considerations were also given to Child Soldiers from Sierra Leone; so I personally see no difference.

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I think special considerations were also given to Child Soldiers from Sierra Leone; so I personally see no difference.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

stfu, child hater

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

stfu, child hater