A motion for a resolution on the recruitment of children by organised crime, published on 12 June 2026, has sparked a fundamental ideological clash over whether minors involved in criminal activities should be treated primarily as victims or face greater accountability. The amendments, proposed solely by the Patriots for Europe (PFE) group, challenge the victim-centric premise of the original text, which was drafted by centrist and progressive groups.
The original resolution establishes that children recruited by organised crime must be considered and treated primarily as victims, regardless of their alleged offences, aligning with international standards on child protection. The PFE group, however, rejects this outright, arguing that treating all minors solely as passive victims weakens deterrence, undermines public trust, and encourages criminal networks to exploit legal loopholes. Their amendments shift the focus toward accountability, demanding that victims of crimes committed by recruited minors remain at the centre of the judicial response.
Key changes proposed by the PFE include a redefinition of the child's legal status. Amendment 2 replaces the original mandate to treat recruited children primarily as victims with language that frames such an approach as a risk to deterrence and public trust. This would fundamentally alter the resolution's guiding principle from child protection to a more punitive, accountability-based framework. Amendment 3 introduces a new paragraph calling for stronger mechanisms requiring offenders and civilly responsible adults to compensate victims for damage caused by offences committed by minors. This shifts the focus from the recruited child's victimhood to the harm they inflict on others and introduces civil liability for adults, likely parents or guardians, as a deterrent and restorative measure.
Both sides agree that the recruitment of children by organised crime is a serious problem requiring legislative and judicial action, but they diverge on the nature of that action. The original text prioritises the welfare and protection of the recruited child, while the PFE prioritises public safety, deterrence, and justice for the victims of the child's crimes. The amendments represent the most significant substantive changes possible within the resolution's scope.
The resolution is expected to proceed to a plenary vote, where the PFE's amendments will be debated. The outcome will signal the European Parliament's stance on balancing child protection with accountability in the context of organised crime recruitment.
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