(ANKARA) - Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek stated that the "Proposal on Amendments to the Child Protection Law and Some Laws" submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly by the AK Party Group includes regulations that strengthen the protection of children, increase deterrence and protect public conscience. Gürlek said, "With the proposal, the sentence reductions to be applied to children in the 12-15 and 15-18 age groups are rearranged; in serious crimes such as deliberate murder and aggravated wounding due to its consequences, the judge is given wider discretion, taking into account the nature of the act."
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek made a statement regarding the "Proposal Law on Amending the Child Protection Law and Some Laws" submitted to the Presidency of the Turkish Grand National Assembly by the AK Party Group. Gürlek stated that preventing children from facing judicial processes, protecting them against all kinds of abuse and threats, and meeting the justice expectations of crime victim families are among the state's most basic responsibilities.
Stating that the sentence reductions to be applied to children in the 12-15 and 15-18 age groups will be rearranged with the proposal, Gürlek noted that in serious crimes such as deliberate murder and aggravated injury due to its consequences, the judge will be given wider discretion, taking into account the nature of the act.
Gürlek stated that the penalties for violation of obligations arising from family law will be increased and the sanctions against people who do not fulfill their responsibilities regarding the care, supervision and protection of the child will be strengthened.
Noting that new measures for the protection of children are also included in the scope of the regulation, Gürlek said, "In order to protect our children, new guidance measures are being introduced for digital risks, addictions, environmental awareness, book and library habits and social services. While the effectiveness of social investigation reports is increased, inter-institutional coordination in protective and supportive measures is also strengthened."
Gürlek stated that within the scope of the proposal, it is aimed to reflect the child-oriented understanding of law and the presumption of innocence more strongly, and that the expression "child in the judicial process" is envisaged to be used instead of the phrase "child dragged into crime" in the legislation.
"Our aim is to establish an effective justice system that protects children, prevents crime, prevents criminal organizations from exploiting children, strengthens the responsibility of families, and protects public conscience and victims' rights in the face of serious crimes."
I would like to thank all our colleagues, especially the GNAT Research Commission on Children Driven to Crime, who contributed to the preparation of the proposal, our AK Party Group, our relevant institutions, academics and experts who brought the proposal to the Parliament agenda.
Under the leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; "We will continue to resolutely implement our reforms that jointly protect the best interests of our children, the peace and security of our society, and the expectation of justice of our victimized families."