Joint Call: Open Passage for Children in Sur

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Peace for Children Right Now Initiative has noted that the children’s right to life in parts of Sur under curfew was in danger.  

The initiative has pointed out to the necessity of taking action to open a passage providing a safe exit to children out of the clash zone.

“Take action to save children”

The initiative has sent letters to each institution in charge of protecting children and urged them to take action to save the lives of children.  

“You all are also responsible for every right violations these children could get exposed to as much as the state and the government.

“This is why you should take action to provide a safe passage to help these children taking shelter in  basements in Sur whose ages vary from four months to 18 years to leave the clash zone.”

Responsible institutions

The initiative has reminded that according to the United Nations Children’s Rights Convention, “Particularly authorities of the government, all political parties and their representatives which have groups in the Grand National Assembly, all mechanisms of European Union, European Commission and other mechanisms mentioned in agreements Turkey is party to, were bearers of responsibility”.

How many children have been discharged?

The initiative has noted that 18 children had been identified to have taken shelter in the basements in Sur and that they had information that some of these had been evacuated.

It has also been pointed out to the necessity of providing information on how many children had been evacuated and what their situations are.

Presence of children confirmed

The initiative has stated that they had confirmed the presence of children in the clash zone through applications made to the Human Rights Foundation and statements made by European Parliament Turkey Rapporteur.

The names and the ages of the children confirmed by the initiative to be in the clash zone are as follows:

Elif Su Aslan (4 months), Özgür Aslan (3), Kadir Şahin (11) Muazzez Aslan (4), Rojda Aslan(7), Gülistan Aslan (11), Beritan Tosun (2), Şerife Tosun(10), Ruken (4), Berfin (4), MY (12), MY. (14), Veli Aslan (9), Şenol Tosun (8), Furkan Dağ (11), Mehmet Salih Karacadağ (14), Sergen Kaydaş (13), Cihan Aslan (13). (YY/DG)