Representing children charged with criminal offences

A fourteen year old boy was accused of stealing a car tyre and beaten by the locals who caught him at the scene. The police then heldhim in custody together with adult suspects, and because bail was refused, he was unable to attend the school examinations. The school expelled the boy for involvement in crimianl activities.

LBH Padang were approached by the boy’s family to make representations to the school, requesting that the order expelling him be revoked but these were refused. LBH Padang then sought help from the Mayor’s office, claiming that the rights of the child to education were being violated. The Mayor organized for him to be enrolled at a different school, and LBH Padang appeared on his behalf at the hearing for the criminal charge. The judge ordered that he be released into the custody of his parents.