UNICEF was one of the first organizations to express appreciation about the adoption of the first part of the amendments of the Anti-Terror Law (TMY) passed by the General Assembly of the Turkish Parliament on Tuesday. The Parliament approved the first part of amendments the government said are aimed at sorting out the prosecution of children like adults under the TMY.

"The changes are a great development. It means that children involved in demonstrations will not be regarded as guilty of terrorist offences, and will not be punished as if they were members of a terrorist organization. Similarly, the provision for increasing sentences will not be applied to children." said Regina De Dominicis, Officer in Charge of UNICEF Turkey.

Article 34 of the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations was also amended in the course of the discussion in accordance with clause three of the draft bill. This amendment concerns juveniles tried for opposing the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations who stand accused of attending a demonstration, resisting against the police and spreading illegal propaganda. In this case, the TMK provision stipulating that "Membership of a terror organization and crimes committed on behalf of a terror organization shall be accounted for as terror crimes and punished like members of the organization" will not be applied.