The Commissioner for Children will “imminently” open an investigation into the case of two adolescents who were denied bail and spent a week in prison.

Helen D’Amato said she was deeply concerned by their imprisonment, describing it as highly counterproductive.

Detention, she said in a statement yesterday, did not “fulfil the aims of rehabilitation which is urgently required for young people”.

The boy and girl, both 16, were denied bail on August 9 over an alleged theft of €400 from their uncle.

Their detention angered voluntary groups and professionals who claimed the children’s rights were being trampled on. The children were granted bail on Monday.

Mrs D’Amato said it was crucial for policies, procedures and structures to be in place to protect children who breached the law while making sure their fundamental rights as minors were observed.

Malta was bound by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which “recognises the right of every child alleged as, accused of, or recognised as having infringed the penal law to be treated in a manner consistent with the promotion of the child’s sense of dignity and worth”, she said.

The convention also stated that a minor had a right to be informed promptly of the charges and have legal or other assistance.