In the United States of America (USA) many states are imposing sentences of life without parole on juveniles. Those most aggressively and disproportionately targeted are minority children.

The Convention On the Rights of the Child has been ratified by 192 nations. As of February 2008 the USA is the only country in the entire world that continues to impose these draconian sentences, and is only one of two countries in the world that have not ratified the United Nations Convention On the Rights of the Child.

Pursuant to the Convention On the Rights of th Child, Article 37, the imposition of the death penalty or life without parole sentences on juveniles are prohibited and constitute a human rights violation. There are over 2,000 people across the USA who are serving sentences of life without parole for crimes they were accused or convicted of committing when they were children.

The imposition of life sentences without possibility of parole on juveniles is a violation of additional international treaties which include:

* International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
* United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice;
* United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency; United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment;
* American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man; and
* Inter-American Convention to Prevent and Punish Torture

We reject the notion that children are dispensable or incorrigible. It is inhumane to abandon the inherent dignity of children. Life without parole sentences for children reflects a determination that there is nothing that can be done to render the child a fit member of society. It is an unforgiving sentence of permanent banishment — which rejects any concept of redemption or faith that time, treatment or hard work can promote positive change.

Through intervention, education, therapeutic programming, and genuine care, we can rescue troubled youth and help them become contributing members of society. Even the U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed this position:

"It would be misguided to equate the failing of a minor with those of an adult, for a greater possibility exists that a minor's character deficiencies will be reformed." (Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551, 125 S.Ct. 1183, 1195 (2005)

By signing this petition you are calling for an end to the deplorable practice of sentencing children to life in prison without the possibility of parole, and calling on members of Congress and state legislators to abolish this ongoing human rights atrocity.

Added On (2008-03-04):

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Petition Details Target: The Injustice Must End (TIME) Committee to Free Efren Paredes, Jr. Category: Civil & Human Rights Total Signatures: 187 Signatures Goal: as many as possible    View Signatures    Send It To Friends    Contact Creater Of This    Print Preview    Make Signature

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