The Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of the Argentine Republic (ACIERA) issued a public statement outlining its position on the legislative debate over the new Juvenile Criminal Regime, which is currently under consideration in the national Congress. The organization said it is necessary to update the current regulations and adapt them to today’s social realities, but warned that any reform must include prevention, reintegration, and comprehensive support for adolescents.
In a statement released on Feb. 13, ACIERA said that the current legislation “has become obsolete” and that the discussion should include reviewing the age of criminal responsibility, in line with international standards and the regional context. At the same time, it expressed solidarity with victims of crimes committed by minors and emphasized that criminal punishment alone will not solve the problem unless accompanied by social, educational, and family policies aimed at reintegration.
The organization also called for adolescents in conflict with the law not to be sent to regular prisons, but rather to specialized institutions with interdisciplinary teams and adequate resources. It requested government funding for infrastructure, trained professionals, and support programs, including a spiritual dimension in recovery processes.
In addition, it highlighted the need to address structural factors such as “social orphanhood,” early substance use, and the loss of family role models. It proposed implementing a national prevention plan for substance abuse and strengthening preventive education in schools. From a pastoral perspective, it reaffirmed the role of churches in working with families and young people and called for mandatory coordination among the justice system, schools, and families.
Legislative and social context
ACIERA’s statement comes amid an intense parliamentary debate. The Chamber of Deputies approved the bill for a new Juvenile Criminal Regime, which proposes lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 14 and establishing a differentiated system of sanctions for adolescents. The bill must now be considered by the Senate for final approval.
The proposal, promoted by the ruling party, seeks to replace the current system in place since 1980, introduce socio-educational measures and alternatives to imprisonment, and ensure that minors are not housed together with adults while in detention.
The reform is part of a broader debate on security and childhood. Some sectors argue that setting the age at 14 aligns with regional and international standards, while human rights organizations and specialists warn of the risk of criminalizing adolescence and call for deeper preventive and social policies.
In recent days, Congress moved forward with the bill’s preliminary approval, backed by a parliamentary majority and generating significant political and social impact. The discussion has focused on the effectiveness of lowering the age of criminal responsibility, the types of sanctions to be applied, and the role of the state in preventing juvenile crime.
In this context, ACIERA’s position joins that of other social and religious actors seeking to influence the debate, emphasizing reintegration, family support, and a comprehensive approach to the issue beyond a purely punitive response.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
