The Crime of Child Abduction between Its Forms and Elements: An Analysis in Light of Law No. 20-15 on the Prevention of and Fight against Crimes of Abduction of Persons

Abstract

Given the seriousness of the crime of child abduction and its impact on children, families, and society as a whole, most legislations have sought to criminalize it and impose the most severe penalties capable of combating it or, at least, reducing its incidence. Algerian legislation is among those that have established several mechanisms and introduced a number of amendments, foremost among which is the amendment of the Penal Code and certain laws supplementing it. This demonstrates the provision of criminal protection for children as a vulnerable group within society. Furthermore, Law No. 20-15 on the Prevention of and Fight against Crimes of Abduction of Persons was enacted, providing for severe penalties and identifying the forms of this crime, namely: the crime of abducting a child without violence, threat, or deception, and the crime of abducting a child through the use of violence, threat, or enticement.