Military officer's abuse of child in Şırnak brought to parliamentary agenda

"Child abuse is a crime against humanity"

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Three deputies from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) have requested a parliamentary inquiry to be launched into a military officer's abuse of a 13-year-old child in the southeastern Şırnak province.

Specialist sergeant A.A. was remanded in custody by a court yesterday (July 15). In his statement at the prosecutor's office, he said that he was "drunk."

Şırnak deputies Nuran İmir, Hüseyin Kaçmaz and Hasan Özgüneş said that similar incidents about public officials and security officers were also reported in the past.

"On 14.07.2020 in Şırnak, a specialist sergeant's abuse of a 13-year-old child was detected by eyewitnesses and the incident was also recorded by the housing estate's security camera. Reports about children who were exposed to the abuse of law enforcement and public officials in Şırnak and its districts were previously reported in the press as well," they stated in the motion.

The deputies requested a parliamentary inquiry as per Article 98 of the Constitution and Articles 104 and 105 of the parliament's Internal Regulation as to whether public officials and security officers were involved in similar incidents in the past.

"Sexual abuse of children, which is one of the most important problems of Turkey, is a horrible attack against human dignity and the physical integrity of a person," the motion said.

"Unfortunately, dozens of sexual abuse cases occur in Turkey and many of these cases result in deaths. Many investigations related to sexual abuse cases either result in inconsiderable punishment or no punishment at all, which paves the way for new crimes.

"Sexual abuse cases cause serious physical and mental disorders in children and people who are exposed to sexual abuse and cause them to experience deep traumas. Sexual abuse cases have unfortunately become ordinary and sustainable in Turkey, they have almost become a culture." (AÖ/VK)