Artists and writers seek justice for stone-throwing children
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Göksel Bozkurt
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Haziran 01, 2009 00:00
ANKARA-Writers and artists have come together to fight for justice for some 251 children, 198 of whom are between 13 and 17 years old, who have been arrested and imprisoned over the last nine months.
The children are generally from families of Kurdish origin and were arrested for throwing stones at police during protests held in Turkey’s eastern and southeastern cities by supporters of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK. Accused of being members of an armed organization, 422 children were tried between 2006 and 2007. Of this number, 413 were sentenced to prison for "leading an armed organization" while six were incarcerated on the grounds that they "insulted Turkishness."
Although they are children, the cases are heard in adult courts and no reductions are made in their punishments. Disturbed by the situation, writers and artists have investigated the issue and formed a group called "Seeking Justice for Children" that has criticized the ongoing prosecution of children under the Anti-Terror Law.
Group representatives held talks last week with Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin and various deputies. Stating that approximately 3,000 children had been tried in court and faced imprisonment of up to 34 years, the representatives asked authorities to exempt children from some articles of the Anti-Terror Law and mitigate penalties for minors.
Deputies also promised to take action
"I will examine the legal matters related to the issue and start a detailed study," Ergin said. Deputies also promised to take action to make amendments to the law. Members of the group include famous intellectuals, writers and artists such as Derya Alabora, Mehmet Ali Alabora, Hüseyin Hatemi, Pınar Kür, Tamer Levent, Murathan Mungan, Meral Okay, Latife Tekin and Mine Vargı. Famous writer Halid Ziya Uşaklıgil’s granddaughter Emine Uşaklıgil is also a member.
During the meetings, the group members drew special attention to Article 13 of the Anti-Terror Law and said it should not apply to children. The article forbids the reduction of a sentence of imprisonment to a fine or other measure. "Instead of sentencing children to imprisonment, measures like sending them to libraries should be applied," the group said. Members also asked for children to be exempt from Article 17, which forbids release on probation.
Lawyer Mehmet Uçum touched upon the situation children face in prison. "They are exposed to harsh conditions as if they were terrorists," he said. Claiming that children are put in the same prison cells with members of terrorist organizations, Uçum said: "The application [of this law] is pushing children into the hands of terrorism when they are only accused of chanting slogans, wearing masks or throwing stones." Arif Akkaya said his 16-year-old son was caught while passing by a protest in Diyarbakır and sentenced to prison for seven years. "Hundreds of families experience the same thing as us. Even children who commit a murder are sentenced to lighter punishment," Akkaya said, asking for justice.
Although they are children, the cases are heard in adult courts and no reductions are made in their punishments. Disturbed by the situation, writers and artists have investigated the issue and formed a group called "Seeking Justice for Children" that has criticized the ongoing prosecution of children under the Anti-Terror Law.
Group representatives held talks last week with Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin and various deputies. Stating that approximately 3,000 children had been tried in court and faced imprisonment of up to 34 years, the representatives asked authorities to exempt children from some articles of the Anti-Terror Law and mitigate penalties for minors.
Deputies also promised to take action
"I will examine the legal matters related to the issue and start a detailed study," Ergin said. Deputies also promised to take action to make amendments to the law. Members of the group include famous intellectuals, writers and artists such as Derya Alabora, Mehmet Ali Alabora, Hüseyin Hatemi, Pınar Kür, Tamer Levent, Murathan Mungan, Meral Okay, Latife Tekin and Mine Vargı. Famous writer Halid Ziya Uşaklıgil’s granddaughter Emine Uşaklıgil is also a member.
During the meetings, the group members drew special attention to Article 13 of the Anti-Terror Law and said it should not apply to children. The article forbids the reduction of a sentence of imprisonment to a fine or other measure. "Instead of sentencing children to imprisonment, measures like sending them to libraries should be applied," the group said. Members also asked for children to be exempt from Article 17, which forbids release on probation.
Lawyer Mehmet Uçum touched upon the situation children face in prison. "They are exposed to harsh conditions as if they were terrorists," he said. Claiming that children are put in the same prison cells with members of terrorist organizations, Uçum said: "The application [of this law] is pushing children into the hands of terrorism when they are only accused of chanting slogans, wearing masks or throwing stones." Arif Akkaya said his 16-year-old son was caught while passing by a protest in Diyarbakır and sentenced to prison for seven years. "Hundreds of families experience the same thing as us. Even children who commit a murder are sentenced to lighter punishment," Akkaya said, asking for justice.