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Rights of the child / Statements / Uruguay / 2013 / November

Uruguay: Violence against children remains a major concern

Geneva-Montevideo, October 2013. The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), its local partner in Uruguay, the Institute for Legal and Social Studies (IELSUR), together with the Committee on the Rights of the Child of Uruguay, and the international expert Eric Sottas, have conducted a Monitoring and Advocacy Mission in Uruguay from 30 September to 05 October 2013.


Through monitoring visits and interviews with employees of juvenile detention centres, OMCT has received several allegations of violence against children in conflict with the law. Among the allegations, children have claimed to be repeatedly beaten and humiliated, forced to run naked in the patio, excessively medicated and kept in their cells for more than 20 hours a day.

OMCT notices that despite improvements, noticed in comparison with previous missions in the country, such as the access to education to some of the children deprived of liberty, as well as improvements in the physical structure of some centres and initiatives to build new centres; allegations of ill-treatment of children continue to emerge with complete impunity.

In order to go further in the discussion of preventive measures against torture, OMCT and its local partners, with the organizational support of the Government of Uruguay, conducted a training to directors and employees of Juvenile Detention Centres.

The training counted with local and international experts from different organizations and had the presence of over 60 employees and directors of the different Juvenile Centres of the country.

The discussion raised issues such as obligations that government representatives hold in relation to international human rights standards, as well as limitations on the use of force.

As a conclusion of the mission, OMCT and its local partners promoted a Seminary to discuss the initiative to reduce the age of criminal responsibility, that counted with the presence of students and experts in the subject.

OMCT notices that in the past few years Uruguay has harden its law on children, approving initiatives that go against international standards, and generating an abusive use of measures of deprivation of liberty, which has resulted in overcrowded centres and the increase of violations.  

We recall that the deprivation of liberty of children should always be a measure of last resort, for the minimum necessary period, and always taking into account the best interest of the child. In addition, all allegations of torture must be object of a meaningful, diligent, impartial and transparent investigation in order to ensure full accountability.

OMCT and its local partners expect to continue a dialogue with the government of Uruguay in order to promote concrete actions that may ensure prevention and accountability for practices of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment against children in conflict with the law. 

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Date: November 6, 2013
Activity: Rights of the Child
Type: Statements
Country: Uruguay
Subjects: Rights of the child, Torture and violence

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