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London: Kurdish protest against Turkey's
violation of children's rights
3.3.2012 |
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March 3, 2012
LONDON, — In response to the horrifying
news of Kurdish children being subject to abuse,
rape and administrative misconduct at Pozanti prison
in Turkey, Kurdish activists staged a protest in
London on Thursday. They met with UNICEF official
Jon Sparkes to discuss the sexual abuse of Kurdish
children, which has received little international
attention. The storming of UNICEF by Kurdish youth
came after phone calls and emails were ignored.
The activists made several demands to UNICEF. They
urged the necessity of issuing a public statement to
highlight Turkey’s growing record of Human Rights
abuses towards Kurdish children in prison, who are
often put with adults. Turkey’s violations have been
ignored by international organisations that have
been set up with the aim of preventing and
highlighting abuse against children.
Save The Children Headquarters in London was stormed
shortly afterwards, but because they don’t have a
branch in Turkey,www.ekurd.net
it is unlikely that they would issue an
investigation into this matter. However, since the
first interview of the victims regarding
sexual abuse in Pozanti prison, four
officials from Pozanti prison have been removed
according to Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin.
UN Convention on
the Rights of the Child (Entry into force 2
September 1990, in accordance with article 49). The
relevant articles in this case:
Article 4 (protection of rights)
Governments must do all they can to fulfil the
rights of every child.
Article 19 (protection from all forms of violence)
Governments must do all they can to ensure that
children are protected from all forms of violence,
abuse, neglect and mistreatment by their parents or
anyone else who looks after them.
Article 30 (children of minorities)
Every child has the right to learn and use the
language, customs and religion of their family
whether or not these are shared by the majority of
the people in the country where they live.
Article 34 (sexual exploitation)
Governments must protect children from sexual abuse
and exploitation.
Article 37 (detention)
No child shall be tortured or suffer other cruel
treatment or punishment. A child shall only ever be
arrested or put in prison as a last resort and for
the shortest possible time. Children must not be put
in a prison with adults.
Article 39 (rehabilitation of child victims)
Children neglected, abused, exploited, tortured or
who are victims of war must receive special help to
help them recover their health, dignity and
self-respect.
Article 40 (juvenile justice)
A child accused or guilty of breaking the law must
be treated with dignity and respect. They have the
right to help from a lawyer and a fair trial that
takes account of their age or situation. The child’s
privacy must be respected at all times.
By Ruwayda Mustafah Rabar
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