Lower house passes bill lowering age of criminal responsibility, Mercosur-EU deal

Updated Friday at 10 a.m. The Argentine Lower House passed a bill on Thursday lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 14. The final tally was 149 votes in favor and 100 against, with no abstentions. During that same session, deputies also passed the Mercosur-European Union trade agreement. The deal received widespread support, with 203 votes in favor, 42 against, and 4 abstentions. Congressional approval is required by all countries involved in the agreement for it to gain legal stature. Both initiatives will now move to the senate for final approval. If the Mercosur-EU deal is passed, Argentina could become the first country to ratify the agreement. Implementation of the deal, which was signed in January, is currently delayed as the European Parliament recently sent the agreement to the EUs top court to verify whether it complies with existing EU treaties. Thursday’s lower house session came on the heels of a major legislative win for the government, as the senate passed President Javier Mileis labor reform earlier the same day. Congress is currently in an extraordinary session period before the regular sessions begin on March 1. The bill to lower the age of criminal responsibility Deputies reached the required commissions-approved version of the age of criminal responsibility bill on Wednesday, which allowed them to take it to the chambers floor. Lawmakers could still introduce more changes to it during the debate. The bill aims to create a new juvenile criminal regimen with the goal of punishing crimes committed by teens between 14 and 16, who are currently not criminally responsible for their actions.  The government decided to push the topic forward in the past month after a gruesome murder of a 15-year-old committed by peers around the same age made headlines.  The proposal is backed by ruling party, La Libertad Avanza, as well as allies PRO and the so-called friendly opposition blocs Unin Cvica Radical, Provincias Unidas, and Innovacin Federal. Left-wing Frente de Izquierda and most of Peronist Unin por la Patria oppose the bill, although some members of the latter bloc support it and had even filed similar proposals in the past. The bill includes implementing educational, recreational, and sport activities for teens who commit crimes, as well as providing them with addiction treatment if necessary. Those found guilty would be handed prison sentences of up to 15 years with the chance of parole once they comply with two-thirds of it.