Children activists in Turkey seek more rights from new constitution
21/06/2012
Activists are urging Turkey to make the new constitution more children-friendly.
Menekse Tokyay for Southeast European Times in Istanbul -- 21/06/12
 Youth activists in Istanbul's Taksim Square inform the public every Saturday of their achieved goals. [Children's Foundation of Turkey] |
Amid the growing discussions about the new constitution, activists have been regularly pointing out the need to address childrens' rights in the new legislation. Turkey's current constitution was drawn up under military rule in 1982, and is widely considered inadequate in addressing human rights -- specifically for children.
The Child Foundation initiative published an exhaustive "Child Constitution," and highlighted its main concerns and expectations to be included in the new state legislation.
Mustafa Ruhi Sirin, the founder of the Child Foundation, explained the organisation's goal.
"We are proposing that Turkey adopt child policy in line with the international conventions and universal norms, and include constitutional provisions which take children's issues in many aspects -- respecting the rights of children for protection, better living conditions, participation in the political process, and prevention from discrimination. Regardless of the voting age limit, children should participate in the referendum stage of the new constitution when finalised."
The foundation launched children's councils throughout Turkey, where youths discuss their main problems. Every Saturday, foundation members and their followers meet in Istanbul's Taksim Square to update the public about their project.
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Human rights violations continue in the region, according to a recent report by Amnesty International.
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