Politicians and social groups on Wednesday welcomed the congressional adoption of a law on minors protection which will benefit 18 million children and teenagers in Colombia.

Gina Parody, a senator from the ruling party, said the adoption represented a progress as "the international organizations have considered the Colombian legislation (in this area) one of the most backward in the world."

Under the new law, child sex abusers are subject to six to 18 years of prison terms, and the courts can order the publication of names and photos of those convicted.

The new law also raises the minimum age for paid work to 15 from 12 and said the minors should have parental permission before working.

Requiring a nine-year compulsory education for minors, the law says that adolescents over 14 can be jailed for up to eight years in special places for such crimes as murder, kidnapping or extortion.

Source: Xinhua