The United Nations Criticizes LNP’s Youth Crime Laws in Queensland, Deeming Them Inconsistent with Fundamental Child Rights.

The special rapporteur on torture at the United Nations has advised Queensland’s state parliament to reject the government’s proposed youth crime laws, arguing that they clash with basic child rights. The Liberal National Party led by their “adult crime, adult time” campaign and in December, managed to pass laws that will sentence children for 13 offences as if they were adults. The parliament is now considering more legislation pertaining to 20 additional offences. Alice Jill Edwards, special rapporteur on torture, and Albert K Barume, special rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous peoples, have expressed concerns about Australia’s legal system for children, predicting it could create an underclass of Australians. Their letter particularly criticizes the Making Queensland Safer (Adult Crime, Adult Time) Amendment Bill, arguing it will disproportionally affect Indigenous children who already make up a significant portion of the criminal legal system and are urging against its passage. While Premier David Crisafulli has dismissed the UN’s input as interference in local governance, the government has admitted that the legislation may breach state and international human rights laws regarding the mistreatment and inadequate protection of youth offenders. Some offences outlined in the legislation are extremely rare or have not occurred among juveniles in the past five years, according to statistics from the Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support. In 2024, a total of 624,414 offences were documented, with youth crime accounting for approximately 13% of all crimes. Despite the UN’s opposition, the opposition leader, Steven Miles, has stated that the Labor party will not stand against the law given the Liberal National Party’s majority, signaling that the legislation is set to pass.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/20/lnp-qld-youth-crime-legislation-un-incompatible-with-child-rights-ntwnfb