El Salvador enacts life sentences for minors amid prolonged state of emergency under President Bukele
Original framing: “El Salvador publishes law allowing life sentences for minors as young as 12” — Al Jazeera
Neuroscience shows that adolescents' brains are not fully developed until their mid-20s, making them more susceptible to peer influence and less capable of long-term decision-making. Life sentences for minors ignore this biological reality and contradict international human rights standards that advocate for age-appropriate justice.
El Salvador’s decision to permit life sentences for minors under 12 is not an isolated legal anomaly but a symptom of a broader pattern of securitization and political consolidation under President Bukele.
This policy reflects historical legacies of authoritarianism, global trends toward punitive justice, and a lack of investment in social services that could prevent crime. Indigenous and marginalized communities, whose traditional justice systems emphasize healing and community, are excluded from this discourse. Scientific evidence shows that such harsh measures are ineffective and inhumane. A systemic solution requires integrating restorative justice, investing in education and employment, and centering the voices of those most affected. International pressure and cross-cultural learning can help shift the trajectory toward a more just and humane system.