© Unsplash/Ch. Oskay Ankara, capital of Turkey. Turkey: Volker Türk condemns amendments that would allow life sentences for minors Human Rights
On Thursday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned amendments passed by Turkey’s parliament that would allow judges to impose life sentences on juvenile offenders convicted of serious crimes.
Saturday’s amendments to the Child Welfare Act significantly increase penalties for offenders aged 15 to 18, give judges the power to deny age-based mitigations to those accused of premeditated murder or grievous bodily harm, and require juvenile offenders to be held in closed correctional facilities rather than in educational centers aimed at rehabilitation.
“While some proposals may be positive—for example, those that seek to ensure better coordination between the areas of child protection and education, and to prevent children from accessing firearms—others raise serious concerns from a human rights perspective,” Turk said.
“I am particularly concerned about the possibility that juvenile offenders could face life sentences,” added he.
Rehabilitation reduces recidivism rates
Turk deplored the mandatory detention provision, which departs from the current practice of detaining juvenile offenders in institutions focused on education and rehabilitation.
“Rehabilitation and reintegration must be given special attention and is critical to protecting victims and reducing recidivism rates,” Turk said.
International Law
According Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the arrest, detention or deprivation of liberty of a child should only be used as a measure of last resort and for the shortest possible period.
Türk stated that prolonged detention used against children is “clearly contrary” to this convention.
Turkey acceded to the Convention in 1990 and ratified it in 1994. It provided official statements on its interpretation of a number of articles, but not Article 37.
The High Commissioner called on Turkey to respect its obligations under international law.