In a press conference at parliament, Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Deputy Sebahat Tuncel criticized the announcement of the Ministry of Justice about the allegations as grave and forwarded information from the related report of the Human Rights Association (ÝHD) Mersin Branch.

After allegations regarding sexual abuse and rape of children and juveniles at the Pozantý Prison in Adana, Tuncel claimed that the Ministry of Justice should depose the prison management from office before opening an investigation.

"What happened in Pozantý - said Tuncel - is a shame for Turkey. The Ministry of Justice has to depose the prison management form office immediately without investigation".

Tuncel announced to bring this issue to the agenda of the parliament. She also mentioned that during the term of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the number of detainees doubled.

In the meantime an international campaign has been launched to rise the issue with UNICEF, the children organization of the UN.

People are asked to send an email to UNICEF Media ([email protected]) regarding the abuses and rape suffered by children in Pozantý Prison, Adana.

Below the sample letter:

Dear UNICEF Media,



My name is (your name and surname). I'm (....State where you are from).

Yesterday a news item hit the headlines in Turkey regarding the abuses and rapes suffered by Kurdish children in Pozantý Prison, Adana, SE Turkey. First hand accounts of beatings, psychological violence, humiliation and rape were detailed by the Evrensel newspaper, giving detailed information from children who have since been released. Despite being imprisoned for throwing stones at police in political demonstrations, these children were put in the same wards as adult prisoners sentenced for criminal offences. Nothing has yet been done about this grave violation of the rights of children, although it was known from months before. Below are some of the statements made by the children:

H.K. (14) who was imprisoned at Pozantý prison for four months said: 'Some of my friends were repeatedly raped by the criminal convicts. Sometimes they would force us to take off our trousers. It's impossible for me to explain.'

Þ.A. (17) who was forced to become an informant and beaten by police before imprisonment said: 'I experienced unimaginable things there. The criminal convicts would tie a rope around our necks and tighten it. They would beat us. They were calling us terrorists and forcing us to kiss the Turkish flag. When we refused they would beat us again. Most of our friends are ashamed of seeing each other, because they can't forget their experiences. We asked for our wards to be changed on numerous occasions but the prison authorities did not respond.'

A.K (17) 'The criminal convicts would force our friends to their beds at night. They beat our friends in front of our eyes and cracked their heads open. The prison authorities always covered up the incidents.'

http://efendisizler.blogsport.de/2012/02/25/children-denounced-sexual-harassment-in-prison/

For information about stone throwing children please look at the report below:

http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/turkey1110webwcover.pdf

Dear Sir/Madame,

Nothing is being done to support these children psychologically, emotionally and socially. These children need your help. We believe it is the responsibility of UNICEF to address this matter and bring it to the attention of world public opinion.

Please do not ignore this plea for help as we can do a lot from here to help these children, who have been scarred severely, to overcome these traumas and return to their normal lives.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards.



( ...your name and surname)