TURKEY: All children have rights: End unfair prosecutions of children under anti-terrorism legislation

Summary: Since 2006, thousands of children in Turkey, some as young as 12, have been prosecuted under anti-terrorism legislation, solely for their alleged participation in demonstrations focused on issues of concern to members of the Kurdish community. Amnesty International is gravely concerned at the systematic violation of the rights of the child committed during arrest, detention and trials of these children. This report gives the children's first-hand accounts of being ill-treated on arrest and while being held in police custody.

Abstract

Since 2006, thousands of children in Turkey, some as young as 12, have been prosecuted
under anti-terrorism legislation solely for their alleged participation in demonstrations
focused on issues of concern to members of the Kurdish community. While Amnesty
International recognizes the obligation of the Turkish authorities to maintain order and to
prevent damage to property during the sometimes violent demonstrations, Amnesty
International is gravely concerned at the systematic violation of the rights of the child
committed during the arrest, detention and trial of these children. While arrests and
prosecutions continue, Amnesty International is also concerned that proposed amendments
to the Anti-Terrorism Law aimed at improving the situation for children prosecuted as a
result of their participation in demonstrations will not prevent further violations occurring.

States Parties recognize the right of every child alleged as, accused of, or recognized 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, which reinforces the child's respect for the human rights
and fundamental freedoms of others and which takes into account the child's age and the
desirability of promoting the child's reintegration and the child's assuming a constructive role
in society.
-  Article 40.1 Convention on the Rights of the Child
 

For more information:

• Read Kurdish Info's report: The Punitive Justice System that Kurdish Children are Subjected to in 21st Century Turkey