DİYARBAKIR - Although Turkey’s basic principle of juvenile justice system is “to promote the reintegration and rehabilitation of the children who have committed crimes and to take all necessary measures”, 16-year-old Cotkar A.Y. has been held in Diyarbakır D-type Closed Prison being deprived from his right to education, social life and live with family.

 

Tens of children have been held in prisons of Turkey despite UN Convention on the Rights of the Child’s Article 3 reading, “In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.” Within this framework, the Juvenile Justice System announces that it acts in accordance with restorative justice principles, not retributive justice, but children are victimized in practice. One of these children is 16-year-old Cotkar A. Y. On February 11, 2017, Cotkar was taken into custody in Diyarbakır along with many people to prevent the possibility of a protest by showing reason as 18th anniversary of bringing of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan to Turkey.

 

Reason for his imprisonment ‘anonymous witness’

 

Cotkar was released after a week in custody. Then he was detained again on July 6 allegedly for the testimony of witnesses whose identity kept confidential and phone calls. Cotkar was jailed pending trial after seven day in custody.

 

Indictment against him hasn’t been prepared and he has been in Diyarbakır D-type Closed Prison for eight months and he has been deprived from all his rights.