The Children’s Commission of the Human Rights Association (İHD) Amed Branch released its annual “Report on Child Rights Violations in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Regions.” According to the report, at least 192 child rights violations occurred in the region.
At a press conference on the occasion of November 20, Children’s Rights Day, the Amed (tr: Diyarbakır) Branch of the Human Rights Association (İHD) announced its annual “Report on Child Rights Violations in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Regions” for the 2024–2025 period.
Commission member Berfin Elçi stated that the ongoing conflict in the region has directly affected children’s physical safety, psychosocial development, and participation in social life.
She emphasized that the unresolved Kurdish question also seriously impedes children’s cultural and educational rights.
According to the report, at least 4 children lost their lives as a result of official errors and negligence during this period, and 51 children were injured. In addition, at least 13 suspicious child deaths, 1 suicide attempt, deaths due to domestic and social violence, 20 cases of child sexual abuse, and 1 case of child abduction were recorded. In terms of freedom violations, at least 65 children were detained, 11 children were imprisoned, and 5 children were subjected to torture and ill-treatment. In terms of economic and social rights violations, 5 children lost their lives and 1 was injured while working.
Berfin Elçi stated that the report only included recorded cases and that the actual number of violations could be much higher.
The İHD requested the following measures from official institutions:
– Independent, prompt, and effective investigation into child deaths and violations,
– Strengthening protective social service policies against violence and sexual abuse,
– Ensuring that practices concerning children in custody are carried out in accordance with the principles of children’s rights,
– Effectively investigating the allegations of torture and ill-treatment and prosecuting those responsible,
– Expanding economic and social support mechanisms to prevent child labor.