ABOLISH JUVENILE LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE SENTENCES IN THE USA

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. The USA is the
only country in the Western Hemisphere 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 joining this group 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.

Facebook URL: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7564082075

Facebook Group created by The Injustice Must End (TIME) Committee to Free Efren Paredes, Jr.
P.O. Box 858 • Battle Creek, MI 49016 • info@4Efren.com • www.4Efren.com • www.myspace.com/4Efren