The Rassemblement mauricien (RM) party has expressed concerns over the government's plan to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 14 to 12 years old. In a press conference held on October 30, 2026, at the Hennessy Park hotel in Ebène, party leader Nando Bodha and Me Kailash Trilochun argued that this move would not address the root causes of juvenile delinquency. They claim that children who drop out of school and grow up in poverty-stricken areas are more likely to be lured into crime.
According to Me Kailash Trilochun, the current unemployment rate among young people is 18.4%, despite the national unemployment rate being at 5.7%, its lowest level in 20 years. The party proposes the establishment of an emergency commission to tackle the issue of juvenile delinquency. This commission would comprise experts and stakeholders and work within a set timeframe to find solutions. Nando Bodha emphasized that the party is not advocating for impunity, but rather for a system that takes into account the maturity of the child and their ability to understand their actions.
The RM party also expressed concerns over the Police (Amendment) Bill, which was passed on October 20, 2026. Me Kailash Trilochun described the bill as "probably the most dangerous amendment" ever adopted, as it grants the police commissioner the power to declare a nationwide curfew and impose house arrest on the entire population. The party argues that this move undermines the authority of the President and Parliament.
The party also questioned the urgency of the government's presentation of the Criminal Justice Bill. The bill would allow the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to enter into an agreement with a delinquent who cooperates, in exchange for immunity or a reduced sentence. Me Kailash Trilochun argued that this would require a constitutional amendment, rather than being passed through a simple bill.
Nando Bodha and Me Kailash Trilochun also criticized the government's handling of the Select Committee, which was established to discuss the issue of juvenile delinquency. The party argues that the government is trying to rush through the process without proper consultation with stakeholders. The RM party is preparing suggestions for amendments to the bill.
In a related development, Nando Bodha expressed support for a proposal by the Nouveaux démocrates to limit the number of terms a Prime Minister can serve to two. He argued that this would help to bring about change in the Mauritian political landscape, which has been dominated by the same figures for over 50 years.
The RM party's concerns over the government's proposals reflect a deeper debate about the approach to addressing juvenile delinquency in Mauritius. The party's proposals for an emergency commission and for a more nuanced approach to addressing the root causes of crime are likely to be taken up by other stakeholders in the country.
Key points
- The Rassemblement mauricien party rejects the government's plan to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 14 to 12 years old.
- The party proposes the establishment of an emergency commission to tackle juvenile delinquency.
- The party also expressed concerns over the Police (Amendment) Bill and the Criminal Justice Bill.
