possible at the time, the rehabilitation and upbringing of children who are not reformed by such efforts. In addition, the article 9 of this law stipulates that a special procedure must be established for the investigation, adjudication of and the imposition of punishment, wherever necessary, for offences committed by children. Furthermore, preference shall be given to rehabilitation of children, who are considered minor in Shari’ah, without imposing punishment on such children. 196. According to Regulations on Trials, Investigations and Sentencing for Child Offenders are sentenced in line with what is prescribed in the law in consideration with the child’s age, offence committed and on gravity of the offence. Also the offences are limited to fine, house arrest, banishment or jail. Likewise, the judge has discretion to place the minor in juvenile detention centre or rehabilitation centre or placed under house arrest in the programs stated, such as vocational training, programs conducted by Ministry of Youth and Sports or units of the rights of children or other government organizations or nongovernmental organizations, ward or island development programs and to study in any school or education centre. The penalty handed to a minor for the offence is two thirds of the smallest penalty stated in the law pertaining to that offence. However, such rehabilitation opportunities will not to be granted for offenders above 18 years of age. There are no frameworks established in order to govern these discretions given to judges. This legislation does not address the proper reintegration measures for children in conflict with the law. 197. Juvenile delinquency has increased over the few years, thus resulting in imprisonment and re‐offence. The highest numbers of cases concluded by Juvenile Court include those related to theft and disobeying of lawful order. The second highest number of cases concluded includes assault, drug abuse, fornication, traffic violations and other criminal cases. This is followed by cases related to unlawful assembly, robbery and supplying of drugs. Following graph shows details of concluded criminal cases by the Judiciary. Chapter: Article 24: Rights of the Child 195. As per the Article 6 of Regulations on Trials, Investigations and Sentencing for Child Offenders (children from the attainment of 15 years of age till 18 years of age) should bear the criminal liability in respect of all offences committed by them. Furthermore article 5 stipulates that a minor from the attainment of 10 years of age till completion of 15 years of age should be liable to bear criminal responsibility only if minor commits an offence for which hadd is prescribed in Islam (i.e. apostasy, revolution against the State, fornication, falsely accusing a person of fornication and consumption of alcohol) and unlawful intentional killing of human beings, other offences related to homicide and participate in that and all offences related to drugs. 75