<p>Colombian President Ivan Duque enacted a constitutional reform on Wednesday that sets a life sentence for those found guilty of rape or child murder.</p>.<p>"Today Colombia has said no to those thugs that try to usurp the tenderness, innocence and principles of our children," said Duque.</p>.<p>On average, almost two children under the age of 18 are murdered every day in Colombia.</p>.<p>According to forensic authorities, more than 22,000 children under 18 were victims of sexual crimes in 2019, while 708 died violently.</p>.<p>Almost 6,500 minors were allegedly sexually assaulted between January and May, the Medicina Legal body said.</p>.<p>Until now, the maximum prison sentence in Colombia was 60 years, as the constitution banned "the penalties of exile, life imprisonment and confiscation," although that clause has now been modified.</p>.<p>The abuse of minors has also been a feature of the near six-decade-old conflict pitting government forces against left-wing rebels.</p>.<p>The top leaders of the now-dissolved Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which laid down its arms and signed a historic peace deal in 2016, face accusations of recruitment and sexual violence against children at a special court set up to try those suspected of crimes committed during the conflict.</p>.<p>The army also recently fired 31 soldiers implicated in sexual aggressions since 2016, some against indigenous girls.</p>.<p>The new law will not be applied retroactively, though.</p>.<p>The law has been criticized by opposition politicians, academics and experts that claim an increase in punishments will not result in a reduction of crimes.</p>
<p>Colombian President Ivan Duque enacted a constitutional reform on Wednesday that sets a life sentence for those found guilty of rape or child murder.</p>.<p>"Today Colombia has said no to those thugs that try to usurp the tenderness, innocence and principles of our children," said Duque.</p>.<p>On average, almost two children under the age of 18 are murdered every day in Colombia.</p>.<p>According to forensic authorities, more than 22,000 children under 18 were victims of sexual crimes in 2019, while 708 died violently.</p>.<p>Almost 6,500 minors were allegedly sexually assaulted between January and May, the Medicina Legal body said.</p>.<p>Until now, the maximum prison sentence in Colombia was 60 years, as the constitution banned "the penalties of exile, life imprisonment and confiscation," although that clause has now been modified.</p>.<p>The abuse of minors has also been a feature of the near six-decade-old conflict pitting government forces against left-wing rebels.</p>.<p>The top leaders of the now-dissolved Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which laid down its arms and signed a historic peace deal in 2016, face accusations of recruitment and sexual violence against children at a special court set up to try those suspected of crimes committed during the conflict.</p>.<p>The army also recently fired 31 soldiers implicated in sexual aggressions since 2016, some against indigenous girls.</p>.<p>The new law will not be applied retroactively, though.</p>.<p>The law has been criticized by opposition politicians, academics and experts that claim an increase in punishments will not result in a reduction of crimes.</p>