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3w ago

Germany Debates Lowering Criminal Responsibility Age Amid Rising Youth Violence

Interior Ministers' Conference chairman Ulrich Mäurer opposes the proposal, advocating for educational solutions to address pandemic-linked youth violence.

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Overview

  • Ulrich Mäurer, chairman of the Interior Ministers' Conference, has reiterated his opposition to lowering Germany's criminal responsibility age from 14 to 12.
  • Mäurer argues that rising youth violence should be tackled through pedagogical measures rather than stricter legal frameworks.
  • The 2024 Police Crime Statistics report shows a decline in overall youth crime but highlights a 3.8% rise in violent crimes among juveniles and an 11.3% increase among children.
  • The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) attributes the rise in youth violence to long-term psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as school closures and social isolation.
  • CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann's proposal to lower the age of criminal responsibility remains a contentious issue, with no resolution reached as of April 2, 2025.