Report on children’s rights in Kurdistan: Death, detention, arrest, torture...

According to the one-year report on violations of children's rights announced by IHD Amed Branch, 36 children's right to life was violated.

The Amed (tr: Diyarbakır) Branch of Human Rights Association (IHD) announced the one-year ‘Children’s Rights Violations Report’. The report, which includes violations between November 2023 and November 2024, was announced to the press at the association building on Tuesday.

Lawyer Berfin Elçi, member of the Children’s Rights Commission of IHD Amed Branch, emphasised that children's rights are secured by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and that children who are in ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities are protected by the UN convention to grow and develop in their own culture, but Turkey has made a reservation on this issue.

4 children died within a year

Berfin Elçi stated that 4 children died in North Kurdistan within a year, one of whom was hit by an armoured vehicle, and 16 children were injured in various ways. On the other hand, 1 child died and 1 other was seriously wounded as a result of the explosion of mines and explosives left in conflict zones.

18 children died in suspicious circumstances

Elçi also announced that 18 children died in North Kurdistan in suspicious circumstances and at least 1 child attempted suicide. Stating that 9 children lost their lives and 1 child was injured as a result of domestic violence, Elçi stated that at least 5 children were subjected to sexual abuse within the family.

‘36 children's right to life was violated’

Berfin Elçi continued: “At least 4 children lost their lives, 8 children were injured, at least 48 children were subjected to sexual abuse and assault, at least 1 child was detained. At least 36 children's right to life was violated. 81 children were detained, and 21 of them were imprisoned. At least 15 children were subjected to torture and ill-treatment, 2 of them in detention, 10 in prisons and 3 outside detention centres.”