Law No. 72/X/2026 approving the Statute of the Child and Adolescent (ECA) and introduces the seventh amendment to the Criminal Code.

This Law approves a revised and comprehensive Statute of the Child and Adolescent (ECA) in Cabo Verde and introduces amendments to the Penal Code. The law aims to strengthen the integral protection framework for children and adolescents, reaffirming the principle of the best interests of the child, the priority of their rights, and the shared responsibility of the family, society, and the State. It harmonizes national legislation with international obligations, particularly the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and addresses gaps identified in the previous framework, including institutional coordination, procedural mechanisms, and regulatory deficiencies. The Statute establishes a detailed legal regime covering rights, freedoms, and guarantees, as well as duties of children and adolescents, and reinforces the institutional protection system. It regulates key areas such as promotion and protection measures for children at risk, judicial and administrative protective procedures, and family-based and institutional care mechanisms, including adoption (national and international) and foster care. The law also introduces clearer definitions, improves procedural systems related to child protection and rights restoration, and incorporates participatory inputs from justice, health, education, and social protection sectors, reflecting a multisectoral approach to child welfare.