| School-leaving age |
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125. The obligation to provide an education is also
enshrined in the preamble to the Constitution, which proclaims
"the right of each child to an education and to instruction by the State, by parents, and teachers chosen by
the latter". In addition, under the outline act on the education
system promulgated on 20 January 1995, school attendance is mandatory for
all children between 6 and 14 years of age.
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| Minimum age of employment |
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144. […] labour law prohibits minors under 15 from taking paid employment.
In addition, it is unlawful to engage child workers in hazardous
activities such as handling explosives and work on dangerous building
sites. Inspectors with the power to make
unannounced visits are obliged to inform a judge of any violation.
In fact, owing to inadequate means, the pressure of economic necessity,
academic failure and the inability of the school system
to absorb children of school many children under 15 are forced to work.
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| Minimum age for marriage |
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52. From the legal point of view, two
approaches are possible. Under the French-based Civil and
Criminal Codes, a child under the age of 13 is totally free
from criminal responsibility. Under Muslim law, physical
maturity confers civil and criminal responsibility on a male
child. The age of legal majority is therefore considered to be
14-15 years. Under local Muslim law, girls as well as boys may
marry at that age. In some cases marriages may be arranged
even earlier, especially for girls. They only acquire civil
and criminal responsibility through marriage.
54. […] Article 12 of
the preliminary Family Code bill states that "a man under the age
of 22 and a woman under the age of 18 may not enter into marriage", but "it is open to the cadi or the stipendiary magistrate
officiating at the wedding to grant dispensations in respect of
age for well-founded or legitimate reasons" (art.
13).
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| Minimum age for criminal responsibility |
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52. From the legal point of view, two approaches are
possible. Under the French-based Civil and Criminal Codes, a
child under the age of 13 is totally free from criminal
responsibility. Under Muslim law, physical maturity confers
civil and criminal responsibility on a male child. The age of
legal majority is therefore considered to be 14-15 years.
[…]
79. In criminal cases, children are subject to special
arrangements. This is because children under 13 years of age
are not criminally liable for their actions.
[…] |
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