Upholding Children`s Rights in Turkey:
Addressing State Violations and the Urgent Need for Protection
20 November 2024 | 12:00 PM | YouTube
This panel marking the November 20th, World Children Day, was a powerful and urgent examination of ongoing human rights violations in Turkey, with a particular focus on the persecution of children, political prisoners, and marginalized communities. The event featured expert voices and representatives from organizations working directly with victims. Their testimonies shed light on systemic injustices, violations of legal rights, and the profound psychological and social toll on individuals and society.
The session began with Antonio Stango, President of the Italian Federation for Human Rights, providing an analysis of the current judicial landscape in Turkey, especially highlighting recent trials that exemplify systemic violations. Mr. Stango recounted his attendance at hearings from the so-called “girls’ trial,” where about 40 individuals—most of them minors aged 13 to 17—were arrested in early May. He detailed his observations of grave violations of their rights, including the denial of legal and psychological assistance during interrogations, coercion into giving statements, and intimidation tactics by judges. Stango emphasized that these minors were accused of terrorism based on minimal and insignificant activities—such as exchanging messages on WhatsApp or Telegram about social outings or prayer—activities that do not constitute criminal behavior under fair trial standards.
Stango highlighted that the accusations against the minors were baseless, with no credible evidence linking them to terrorism or armed groups. He stressed that such charges are part of a broader pattern of arbitrary detention, unjust trials, and systematic violation of children’s rights, including the separation of families—many mothers being imprisoned, some awaiting trial while suffering health issues, others left to care for their younger siblings. He noted that these trials are ongoing, with additional hearings scheduled in December, prolonging the trauma and suffering of detainees and their families. The violations extend beyond individual cases. Stango pointed out that Turkey systematically disregards rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), with many cases remaining unresolved for years, which leaves victims without justice and prolongs their suffering. He explained how this systemic failure affects not only the immediate victims but also the broader society, eroding trust in the judicial system and perpetuating a cycle of injustice.
The discussion then shifted to the wider context of state repression in Turkey. Aslihan Kas, a Coordinator of the Silent Scream exhibition and a Board Member of Silence Turkey, shared poignant stories from her work documenting the human rights abuses inflicted on different communities, especially after the July 15, 2016 coup attempt. She recounted heartbreaking stories of children and families targeted by the regime’s crackdown: an 18-month-old child, who had to be smuggled out of Turkey concealed in a suitcase to escape danger; a Kurdish girl, shot by security forces while playing outside, whose family was denied the right to bury her for days; and a family who drowned while trying to cross the Maritsa River to Greece, victims of the regime’s brutal policies.
Kas emphasized that these stories are part of a larger pattern of systematic persecution targeting ethnic minorities, political dissidents, and vulnerable populations. The “Silence Scream” exhibitions, which have traveled across cities in the U.S. and Canada, serve as vital platforms to preserve and amplify these voices, making sure the world remembers and learns from these stories of courage and suffering.
The panel then addressed the psychological impact of state violence on children. Melike Guray, a clinical psychologist, shared her professional insights and experiences. She described the trauma faced by children like Yusuf Kerim, an 8-year-old boy with terminal cancer, whose mother remains unjustly imprisoned, and other children who have endured family separation, stigmatization, and social exclusion. Guray explained that systemic violence deeply damages children’s self-esteem, sense of belonging, and trust in society. She stressed that trauma can be passed down through generations, creating a cycle of suffering that hampers communities’ future development.
Melike Guray emphasized that children are especially vulnerable to secondary trauma—seeing their parents, siblings, or peers suffer can cause deep emotional scars. She highlighted the importance of collective healing, community support, and restoring children’s trust in society. Guray underscored that systemic injustice and violence threaten the social fabric, with long-term consequences for societal cohesion and future generations.
Throughout the discussion, the panelists called for sustained international advocacy. Professor Stango stressed that Turkey, as a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights, has a legal obligation to respect ECHR rulings. However, Turkey’s systematic disregard for these rulings exemplifies the broader pattern of impunity and systemic injustice. She warned that many of these cases—especially involving minors—are ongoing, with the risk that justice will be delayed or denied altogether, leaving victims in limbo and their suffering unredressed.
Aslihan Kas then highlighted the importance of global solidarity and the role of civil society in maintaining pressure on regimes. She described the exhibitions and documentaries as tools to raise awareness, create empathy, and mobilize action. She urged the international community to continue demanding accountability from Turkey and other authoritarian regimes, emphasizing that silence and inaction only perpetuate injustice.
The collective call was clear: systemic violence, especially against children, must be exposed and challenged. The panelists urged governments, human rights organizations, and individuals worldwide to keep raising their voices—through legal actions, advocacy, and public awareness—to ensure accountability and justice. In closing, the speakers emphasized that the struggle for human rights is ongoing and that each of us has a role to play. Supporting families, advocating for fair trials, and amplifying victims’ stories are crucial steps toward justice. They reminded the audience that systemic violence and repression are not inevitable and that collective action can help rebuild trust, restore dignity, and protect future generations of children.
The event concluded with a powerful message: these children are “our children,” and defending their rights is a shared moral responsibility. The fight for justice, truth, and human dignity continues, and every voice matters in shaping a world where no child suffers in silence.
PANELISTS:
Antonio Stango, President of the Italian Federation for Human Rights
Hafza Girdap, Executive Director, AST – Gender and Migration Studies, Stony Brook University
Melike Guray, CBT Therapist
Aslıhan Kas, Board Member, Advocates of Silenced Turkey – Social Genocide Exhibition Coordinator
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