The Australian state of Queensland has passed laws that will see children as young as 10 face adult penalties for crimes such as murder, serious assault, and break-ins. The government claims the harsher sentencing rules are a deterrent, but many experts argue they will exacerbate youth offending and disregard human rights conventions. The United Nations has criticized the reforms, stating they violate international law and disregard the human rights of children. Data shows that youth crime has halved in Queensland over the past 14 years, with a downward trend in recorded history. Critics, including Australia's commissioner for children, argue that the laws will disproportionately impact Indigenous children and lead to more youngsters being held in police cells. The laws also remove "detention as a last resort" provisions and allow judges to consider a child's full criminal history when sentencing.