609 Children Die in Turkey in 2012

According to a report released by Gündem Çocuk (Children Agenda) Association at least 609 children lost their lives in Turkey due to reasons associated with the Turkish state or its deficiencies.

The report cited poverty, deprivation, discrimination, racism to be the major human right abuses towards children in Turkey.  

Celal Musaoğlu, Gündem Çocuk Association Chair, said the report demonstrated that there has been an increase in the number of child workers, child brides and children affected by violence.

"It looks like disadvantaged children's problems are deepening," Musaoğlu said.

"The more the socio-economical conditions worsen, the more children face life-threatening situations. Our report confirms this, especially with the ways in which children died in 2012."

38 child workers died in 2012

Some of the highlights from the report included:

* Due to reasons associated with social turmoil, land mines, military material, armed clashes, unreasoned shootings, inadequate healthcare and education deficiencies, 46 lost their lives in Turkey in 2012.

* Due to reasons associated with violence, individual arms, suicide, abuses and disasters, at least 563 lost their lives in Turkey.

* At least 38 children in workplace in Turkey. The number of children who did in educational environments in 2012 turned out 20.  

* Among Turkey's foreigners, at least 40 children lost their lives due to various reasons.(YY/BM)