Five children, ages 14-16, who were arrested by Turkish authorities last October following a hunger strike protest, are currently in prison in Siirt.  According to BIANET, the children have started cutting themselves and developed other behavioral problems during their incarceration.

Amnesty International, in its 2010 report on the rights of Turkish children, expressed grave concern “at the systematic violation of the rights of the child committed during the arrest, detention and trial” of Turkish children.  Despite some changes in Turkey’s draconian anti-terrorism laws, this case clearly shows the extent to which Turkey continues to fail in its responsibilities to incarcerated youth.

It can and must do better.