Human Rights Watch Amicus Brief on Juvenile Detention

Human Rights Watch filed an amicus brief in the case of García Méndez, Emilio and Musa, Laura Cristina s/case No. 7537 that is now before the Supreme Court of Argentina. We argue that the system by which Argentine judges authorize the detention of children under 16 years of age in conflict with the law violates international human rights law set forth by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR), and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). It also contradicts basic principles outlined in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (The Beijing Rules), and the United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty.