A draft of the youth parliament's latest manifesto says the antisocial behaviour bill in particular places "an undue and unacceptable emphasis on young people". It says: "The bill focuses too heavily on young people as 'the problem' and does not seek to work with us, but rather reduce our civil liberties."
Plans to punish parents for the actions of their children, and to give the police powers to disperse groups of young people are also criticised as infringements of civil liberties. "Young people 'hang around' in groups to feel safer," the manifesto says.
On the sexual offences bill, it says: "Young people are concerned that the bill will criminalise teenagers under 16 who, as part of their natural development, engage in kissing. Young people feel the bill needs to be amended so as not to breach their right to free expression."
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