The article highlights the recent partial approval of the Youth Criminal Responsibility Law in Argentina's Chamber of Deputies, framing it as a necessary step to address longstanding injustices faced by victims of crimes committed by minors under 16. The proposed bill seeks to reform an outdated legal framework established during the dictatorship, which does not adequately respond to contemporary social conditions and the severity of youth crime.

Currently, Argentina operates under a penal regime from 1980, a law that fails to provide effective responses to serious crimes involving adolescents, leading to a justice system perceived as ineffective in protecting victims. The text argues that maintaining the existing legal structure not only neglects the needs of victims and society but also perpetuates a custodial paradigm that undermines the concept of accountability for juvenile offenders, often shifting focus from justice to welfare.

The article concludes by asserting that a democracy demands a robust justice system that holds young offenders accountable while also considering the rights and reparations owed to victims. Therefore, advancing the Youth Criminal Law reform is not merely a legislative option but an essential requirement for a more equitable and responsible societal framework, reflecting the needs of all citizens, particularly those affected by youth crime.