In an act that shows a lack of respect for human rights, the Turkish government led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reached a new level by arresting 15 teenage girls aged 13 to 17. The action has led to condemnation from human rights advocates and observers around the world, who see it as part of a broader suppression of civil liberties in Turkey.
The young women were reportedly detained to force them to testify against their siblings and parents, accused of having links to Hizmet, a social movement that Erdoğan’s administration has labeled a terrorist group. This behavior has attracted criticism and is considered a targeted campaign, against opponents and individuals considered to be dissidents from the authorities.
Critics say the Erdogan government is undermining the rights of its people by using intimidation tactics to intimidate families linked to supporters of the Hizmet movement. Enes Kanter – former NBA player and prominent human rights advocate – recently called attention to this troubling trend and explained how his father’s arrest in an attempt to stifle his critics had personally affected. This shows the extreme measures taken by the regime to suppress dissent.
On May 7, there was an incident in which police arrested girls in Istanbul on the orders of the prosecutor to collect information which turned out to be a false pretense and unfair treatment towards the minors, as they were treated as criminals, without access to legal representation and facing psychological coercion that goes against international and Turkish legal standards. United Nations guidelines emphasize the importance of treating child witnesses and victims with compassion, but this aspect of treatment was conspicuously ignored in this case.
The Justice Ministry in Türkiye has a history of charging minors with terrorist offenses based on recent data. Nearly 20,000 children have faced such ordeals in recent years, according to official figures. Various human rights groups like Amnesty International have repeatedly highlighted concerns that Turkey is misusing anti-terrorism legislation to suppress civil organizations and dissidents; these actions have been reported by the United Nations as possibly constituting crimes against humanity.
Continued harassment is more than a violation of individual freedoms; it also weakens the foundations of families and communities by isolating innocent individuals from the dominant social fabric. The charges against these women stem primarily from everyday efforts like supporting their communities and participating in educational initiatives that authorities have unfairly labeled as acts of terrorism.
The global community should pressure the government to provide answers to prevent these serious human rights violations from becoming commonplace. It is crucial to investigate these detentions. Rights advocates warn that failing to hold such acts accountable will only allow the Erdogan administration to continue to further restrict the freedoms of its citizens.
The Hizmet movement is inspired by the teachings of Fethullah Gulen. Focuses on education and fosters dialogue between different faiths while promoting humanitarian efforts. Imbued with philosophy, the Turkish government nevertheless singled him out for allegedly orchestrating the failed coup of 2016. An accusation that lacks concrete evidence and is widely debated. In response to the upheaval, Erdogan’s administration launched a crackdown targeting people suspected of having affiliations with Hezmet. This repression has resulted in the closure of educational, media and other establishments, as well as the detention of tens of thousands of people.
The international community has strongly expressed its disapproval of Turkey’s human rights record. Recently, reports from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have highlighted instances of misconduct such as unjust detentions and limitations on freedom of expression. Additionally, the European Union and the United States have both raised the alarm over Turkey’s application of anti-terrorism measures to silence opposition voices.
Turkey’s legal system has come under scrutiny for its lack of autonomy, with many judges and prosecutors replaced by people aligned with the government’s agenda. This situation has resulted in a system that often prioritizes the agenda of the ruling party, rather than the administration of justice and respect for legal principles. The incarceration of minors and the extraction of forced testimony constitute violations of Turkish and global legal standards.
The global community must listen to Enes Kanter’s plea for unity and take action against these practices. It is through united international efforts that we will be able to resolve this serious problem and safeguard the rights of the people in Türkiye, especially young people affected by these political unrest. It is crucial that the world monitors developments and ensures that the Turkish government remains accountable for its actions.
Originally published in The European Times.
source link eu news
