I think that it is our responsibility to protect and respect all the children living in Turkey. Everyone under 18 is a child even, while she or he is subject to the process of jurisdiction. Every child must be trialled according to the special procedures for young people of underage. Denial of freedom should be the last measure for children who are in conflict with the law. None of the children could be deprived of any of his or her rights and should be able to enjoy his or her right to education in any case. .
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In Turkey, there are children who are still being trailed as they have participated in the street protests took place in Diyarbakır, Adana, Mersin and other various cities in 2008. The trial of these children in the High Criminal Courts under imprisonment is against the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and child justice system. But still, some of these children are being trialled in High Criminal Courts under imprisonment. These children are being accused of participating riots and stone throwing which calls for a penalty of 20 years imprisonment and more.
Considering that these children are in the age of puberty and there for must have the right to a healthy growth and development period like every other young person of their age, I strongly insist that these children to be released as soon as possible and trialled without imprisonment in Children’s Courts and that all their rights are protected including their right to education. All the essential changes in relevant laws should be altered to achieve this. Because wherever he or she is, every child is a “child”. .
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