GENEVA - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Thursday deplored legislative changes recently adopted by Parliament in Türkiye that could see child offenders sentenced to lengthy jail terms, including life imprisonment. He urged the authorities to ensure full respect for Türkiye's international obligations on children's rights.
The amendments to the Child Protection Law, adopted on 8 August, also mandate detention of child offenders in closed juvenile institutions, with any subsequent transfer to an education-based institution subject to assessment. This breaks with the current practice of holding them directly in rehabilitative, education-based institutions.
"While some of the proposals may be positive - such as those that aim to ensure better coordination between child protection and education services and to prevent children from accessing firearms - others raise serious human rights concerns. I am particularly alarmed by the possibility that child offenders could be sentenced to life imprisonment," said Türk.
"It is essential that the law is amended to ensure that all of its provisions are fully aligned with Türkiye's international human rights law obligations, including on children's rights."
Justice systems, including juvenile justice, should combine accountability with rehabilitation, individualized support and opportunities for reintegration, he added.
"A focus on rehabilitation and reintegration is essential to protect victims and to reduce re-offending. It contributes to safer communities for everyone," said Türk, warning against overfocussing on punishment and retribution.
Under international human rights law, children can only be imprisoned as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time.
Imposition of life sentences and lengthy detention measures on children clearly runs counter to the protections enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
