Reform of Juvenile Criminal Law
On 20 May 2025, the Luxembourg government presented amendments to Bills No. 7991, 7992 and 7994. These texts aim to establish a specific criminal justice framework for minors, strengthen the rights of minors who are victims or witnesses, and improve assistance and protection for families.
One of the key points is the separation between criminal provisions (for minors who commit offences) and protective measures (for minors in difficulty), in line with the recommendations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.
The reform provides that minors from the age of 13 (the age of criminal responsibility) benefit from a tailored procedure with enhanced procedural safeguards: information throughout the proceedings, support by a trusted adult, and priority given to reintegration measures rather than deprivation of liberty.
In addition, Bill No. 7992 strengthens the rights of minors who are victims or witnesses, including the possibility to designate a person of trust and receive continuous information about the progress of their case.
Bill No. 7994 also clarifies the funding of support measures, reinforces the role of the National Children’s Office (ONE) in prevention, and provides for improved protection of personal data.
This shift reflects a more educational and pedagogical approach, in which detention remains a measure of last resort, while emphasising both the accountability and the enhanced protection of minors.
