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This report is part of CRIN's access to justice for children project, looking at the status of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in national law, the status of children involved in legal proceedings, the legal means to challenge violations of children’s rights and the practical considerations involved in challenging violations.
Turkey has ratified the CRC, which has the force of national law, but maintains several reservations. Children have several options to challenge violations of their rights, including those under the Constitution, European Convention on Human Rights, CRC and other international instruments, but generally must do so with the assistance of a representative as well as the permission of a parent or legal guardian. In some instances, children may bring cases by themselves, such as with court approval where they are aged 15 or over, or where they have the “ability to distinguish”. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) can initiate or intervene in a case, but the court has the discretion as to whether or not to allow the organisation to do so in any particular case.
