content tagged with children in prison

‘1,941 arrested, convicted children in Turkey with their rights, needs disregarded’

ANKARA MEDICAL CHAMBER

‘1,941 arrested, convicted children in Turkey with their rights, needs disregarded’

The Ankara Medical Chamber has made a statement about the situation of children in Turkey’s prisons and underlined that the conditions that “push” children to crime must be improved first.

Death of 17-Year-Old Ali Erdoğan in Prison on Parliamentary Agenda

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION

Death of 17-Year-Old Ali Erdoğan in Prison on Parliamentary Agenda

Underlining that 17-year-old prisoner Ali Erdoğan may have been killed or driven to death, HDP İzmir MP Kemalbay has raised concerns over the policy of impunity for the violations of rights committed in prisons.

‘780 Children are Behind Bars with Their Mothers’

RIGHT INITIATIVE ASSOCIATION

‘780 Children are Behind Bars with Their Mothers’

The Right Initiative has indicated that while there were 743 children behind bars in 2018, this number has increased to 780 as of November 2019.

2 December 2019

“Toys are Forbidden in Prison Wards”

NOVEMBER 20 UNIVERSAL CHILDREN’S DAY

“Toys are Forbidden in Prison Wards”

Cansu Şekerci from the CİSST has spoken about children staying in prison with their mothers: “It is forbidden to have toys in wards. Children are away from not only nature and social life but games as well.” Child inmates can also be held together with adults.

20 November 2018 Ayça Söylemez

Report on Children Prisoners in Pozantı

ERTUĞRUL KÜRKÇÜ

Report on Children Prisoners in Pozantı

In the report on the Pozantı Prison, MP Kürkçü called for the urgent release of the victimized children prisoners. He emphasized the need for education and rehabilitation for the children who ought to be sent to their families as soon as possible.

Alleged Sexual Abuse of Children in Pozantı Prison

Alleged Sexual Abuse of Children in Pozantı Prison

Juveniles detained because they "threw stones" during demonstrations were put in cells together with convicts who allegedly abused and raped them dozens of times at the Pozantı Prison in Adana.

27 February 2012

1023 Child Political Convicts - Dramatic Increase

1023 Child Political Convicts - Dramatic Increase

Minister of Justice Ergin announced that the number of child political prisoners increased from 17 in 2005 to 1,023 in 2010.

20 February 2012

15-Year-Old Detained for 14 Months - No End in Sight

15-Year-Old Detained for 14 Months - No End in Sight

The Erzurum Juvenile Court decided to keep 15-year-old Ö.S. in prison because "evidence has not been collected" yet after the juvenile has been detained for 14 months already.

7 September 2011 Ekin Karaca

"Children still in Prison"

CHILDREN AND THE ANTI-TERROR LAW

"Children still in Prison"

Özen from the Pursuit of Justice for Children group pointed out that despite releases due to legal amendments more than 20 children are still in prison in Istanbul. Özen stated that they would carry on with voicing the children's needs and struggles.

13 December 2010 Berivan Tapan

56 Children still in Prison during Religious Holidays

ANTI-TERROR LAW

56 Children still in Prison during Religious Holidays

Akkaya from the Demanding Justice for Children Group announced that 18-year old H.Y., imprisoned under the Anti-Terror Law, was finally released from prison after 3 suicide attempt within 4 years. 56 children are still in prison, 21 in south-eastern Turkey and 35 in Istanbul.

8 September 2010 Semra Pelek

Children Remain in Detention without Further Amendments

ANTI-TERROR LAW/TURKISH CRIMINAL LAW

Children Remain in Detention without Further Amendments

Lawyer Keresticioğlu stated that even after the amendments of the Anti-Terror Law, children still remain in detention under charges of "membership of an illegal organization" and "carrying explosives". The lawyer demanded amendments of the Turkish Criminal Law for the release of the children.

24 August 2010 Semra Pelek

"Releasing Children Not an End to Problems"

CHILDREN VICTIMS OF THE ANTI-TERRORISM LAW

"Releasing Children Not an End to Problems"

A.A.’s son was released 11 months ago after staying in prison for 10 months: "A new period begins for children, who are released under the new law. Both the children and their families are in need of psychological-social support.”

11 August 2010 Burçin Belge

Amendments of Anti-Terror Law Positive but not Sufficient

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Amendments of Anti-Terror Law Positive but not Sufficient

AI appreciated the amendments of the Anti-Terror Law but also called the government to "investigate allegations of maltreatment of children in detention". Lawyer Aktar welcomed the amendments and urged to immediately release the imprisoned children.

27 July 2010 Semra Pelek

"Children Were Tortured in Maltepe Prison"

"Children Were Tortured in Maltepe Prison"

While the according draft law prepared in the scope of the government's democratic initiative is still pending in parliament, children accused of terror crimes are exposed to maltreatment in prison. 18 children in the Maltepe Children Prison started a hunger strike. Apparently, they were beaten and threatened by prison guards.

8 April 2010 Semra Pelek

6 Children Sentenced to 7.5 Years in Jail

CHILDREN CONVICTED UNDER ANTI-TERROR LAW

6 Children Sentenced to 7.5 Years in Jail

Six children received a 7.5-year prison sentence each under charges of "membership of an illegal organization and spreading its propaganda". The decision was based on police statements only. Lawyer Güngör criticized the conviction.

1 April 2010 Semra Pelek

Draft Bill Does not Prevent Injustice for Children on Trial!

Draft Bill Does not Prevent Injustice for Children on Trial!

"If the draft bill comes into effect, children will be prosecuted at juvenile courts instead of high criminal courts. Nevertheless, the children will still be treated as offenders of terror crimes. The problems will increase and intensify", said Uçum form the Justice for Children Group.

12 March 2010 Burçin Belge

Five Years Imprisonment for 14-Year-Old

Five Years Imprisonment for 14-Year-Old

14-year-old C.E. received a five years prison sentence of a court in Diyarbakır on the grounds of membership of an illegal organization. Lawyer Akbaş criticized: "C.E. was not even aware of his possibility to be punished. The photographs do not prove his guilt".

12 February 2010 Burçin Belge

Draft Law Pending - Children in Prison and on Trial

CHILDREN TRIED UNDER ANTI-TERROR ACT

Draft Law Pending - Children in Prison and on Trial

A court sentenced a 15-year old girl to 8 years imprisonment. Tanrıseven and Aktaş from the Batman and Diyarbakır Bar Association respectively urged the goverment to pass necessary legal amendments as soon as possible. However, these changes will still be insufficient to protect the children.

28 January 2010 Tolga Korkut

No Justice for Children - Yet

TMK AMENDMENTS

No Justice for Children - Yet

While the number of children in detention in eastern and south-eastern Anatolia is ever on the rise, the draft law for children charged with terrorism has been shelved. Yet, the matter holds a pressing urgency. Lawyer Yılmaz talks about arbitrary detention of children and forged evidence.

8 December 2009 Yonca Cingöz

31 Children Tried Under Charges of Terrorism

31 Children Tried Under Charges of Terrorism

According to information from the 'Call for Justice for Children' Initiative 31 children appear before the courts under charges of terrorism only in August. One child was released, one child was sentenced to 6 months in prison.

3 September 2009 Emine Özcan

Child Released after 8 Month in Detention for "Stoning" The PM

Children in Detention

Child Released after 8 Month in Detention for "Stoning" The PM

One of the many children in Van detained for "terrorist" crimes has been released.

28 June 2009 Erhan Üstündağ

Concert for Detained Children

Children's Rights

Concert for Detained Children

The folk group Kardeş Türküler has sung in support for the many children in prison for alleged membership in a terrorist organisation.

5 June 2009 Bawer Çakır

State Disciplines Kurdish Children in Prison

Children's Holiday

State Disciplines Kurdish Children in Prison

This article was written by bianet's Erhan Üstündağ on the day of Children's Festival, 23 April. It shows that hundreds of children are confronted with a much harsher side of the state, facing years of imprisonment.

23 April 2009 Erhan Üstündağ