"We welcome the current moratorium on executions and recognize that the sentences of the seven youth offenders named above are under review. Nonetheless we are concerned that the imposition of death sentences, and the protracted delays in rectifying the sentencing constitute a serious breach of international human rights law. "

In the report, Amnesty International urges the government of the Philippines to implement a number of recommendations regarding the death penalty and the sentencing of youth offenders. These include measures to:

Immediately commute any death sentences passed on youth offenders upon proof of minority;

Change conditions of detention in line with international standards for the detention of juvenile offenders;

As a matter of urgency, strictly enforce the law prohibiting the sentencing of child offenders to death. The age of any suspect accused of a crime for which Philippine law allows the death penalty must be established prior to sentencing in order to ensure that children are not sentenced to death;

Ensure that the documented age of a minor is brought to the attention of all judicial and custodial officials coming into contact with the child and is noted in the custodial investigation report.