Free and Full Participation of Youth
Legal Rights and Obligations of Youth
Free and full participation of youth in society is a key issue in the World
Programme of Action for Youth of the United Nations. It was also discussed
during the Asia-Pacific Meeting on Human Resources
Development for Youth, held in Beijing in October. An ESCAP survey, which
had been prepared for that meeting, reviewed three aspects of youth participation:
- age at which one can vote;
- age at which one can marry without consent;
- age at which one can be held liable for transgression of law.
Of the three aspects, the age that one can be held liable for transgression
is generally lower than the age when youth can exercise the right to vote
or marry without consent.
In the 28 countries participating in the survey, youth can vote at 18 years
of age in some two-thirds of those countries. In 5 countries, the age to marry
without consent of parents or guardians is dependent on gender, the female
age being usually lower. Here are the data for each country participating
in the survey.
Ages of legal rights and obligations in Asia and the Pacific
| Country or area |
Age to have the right to vote |
Age to marry without consent of parents |
Age to be held liable for transgression of
the law |
| Azerbaijan |
18 |
18 |
16 |
| Bangladesh |
18 |
21 (m) 18 (f) |
21(m) 18(f) |
| Cambodia |
18 |
25 |
18 |
| China |
18 |
22(m) 20(f) |
16 |
| Fiji |
21 |
18 |
17 |
| Guam |
18 |
18 |
18 |
| Hong Kong |
18 |
18 |
17 |
| Indonesia |
17 |
21 |
18 |
| Islamic Republic of Iran |
15 |
15 (1) |
15 |
| Japan |
20 |
20 |
20 |
| Kazakstan |
20 |
18 |
14 |
| Macau |
18 |
18 |
na |
| Malaysia |
21 |
16 |
16 |
| Maldives |
21 |
16 |
16 |
| Marshall Islands |
18 |
18 |
18 |
| Mongolia |
18 |
18 |
16 |
| New Caledonia |
18 |
18 |
18 |
| Niue |
18 |
21(m) 18 (f) |
14 |
| Palau |
18 |
18 |
18 |
| Philippines |
18 |
26 (2) |
29 (3) |
| Rep. of Korea |
20 |
18(m) 16(f) |
14 |
| Samoa |
21 |
na |
na |
| Singapore |
21 |
21 |
16 |
| Sri Lanka |
18 |
18 |
18 |
| Thailand |
20 |
20 |
20 |
| Turkmenistan |
18 |
18 |
18 (4) |
| Tuvalu |
18 |
21 |
20 |
DATA ARE DRAWN FROM QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY CARRIED OUT BY ESCAP
IN 1996.
Notes: (m) Males. (f) Females. (1) For virgins, parental
consent is necessary regardless of age. (2) Youth between ages 21 and
25 are obliged to ask their parents for advice on the intended marriage. (3)
Until the offender reaches 21, he or she will be put to the custody of the
Department of Social Welfare or an authorized training and rehabilitation
institution. (4) Age of 14 for serious crimes.
© 1997-2001 United Nations ESCAP.
|
