‘Children are immune to death penalties, corporal punishments’

ZANZIBAR: CHILDREN are immune to death penalties and corporal punishments in Zanzibar, as assured by the House of Representatives yesterday.

The Minister of State in the President’s Office, Constitution, Legal Affairs, Civil Service, and Good Governance, Haroun Ali Suleiman, informed the house that children under 12 years old are completely immune from criminal charges.

Children between the ages of 12 and 14 remain immune to offences unless it can be proven that they were aware of the offence being committed.

Minister Haroun further explained that a child who commits a serious offence can be arrested and brought before a juvenile court within 24 hours of the arrest.

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The case is heard in camera, and the suspect is entitled to legal representation.

The minister was responding to a question from Mwanakwerekwe Representative Ameir Abdalla Ameir, who inquired about the legal implications for children under 18 who commit serious offences.

He also clarified that a child’s privacy is highly protected, with their information kept confidential.

Court decisions are made in accordance with guidelines, regulations, and juvenile law.

The court is also required to consider a report from a social welfare officer regarding the child’s situation.