Brasília, 14/7/2004(Agência Brasil) - The non-governmental representantive on the Child and Adolescent Rights Council (Conanda), Claudio Vieira, says that only 10% of the 10,000 youths currently in jail around the country should be there. "The main problem is incorrect application of the Child and Adolescent Statute. It sets forth six punitive measures, running from a warning to incarceration. There is no reason for so many youths to be in jail," declared Vieira, speaking at a ceremony celebrating the 14th anniversary of the statute.

Commemorations of the anniversary of the statute include the distribution of one million copies of the document, a partnership with the Federal Police to disarm youths and a report from a congressional investigative commission on sexual exploitation of youths.

Repórter:Cecília Jorge
(Translator: Allen Bennett)