‘Being under state protection is nothing to be ashamed of,’ says ministry

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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The Ministry of Family and Social Services has released a written statement about the children who are under state protection.

The statement of the Ministry has come amid ongoing criticisms against Derya Yanık, the recently appointed minister of the recently established ministry, for having revealed the identity of a child who is under state protection before the press on April 23 Children's Day on Friday.

"Being under the protection and care of the state is nothing that our children need to be ashamed of, that they need to hide or that require them to isolate themselves from society," the statement has said.

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), the statement has read, "We handed over our seat to a child of ours who stays in our Ministry's institution" adding that "there are still unjust and baseless arguments regarding the invitation of the child under state protection to the program."

'It is nothing to be ashamed of'

The Ministry has noted that there are two groups of children under the Ministry's protection, namely there are children who are put under protection "because they have no one to take care of them" and the ones "who are taken under protection because of security needs."

According to the statement, "the children who are not in the risk group and their pictures in the events of the Ministry have always been shared."

It has said that "utmost attention and care is given to ensure that the identity of children who are under the protection of the Ministry due to security needs remain confidential and their privacy is protected."

"We will always be sensitive to this issue," the statement has read, adding, "We believe that it is important for our children under protection to be visible in every sphere of life like their peers and to be raised as dignified individuals of this society without being subjected to any exclusion."

Noting that "the children who are under the protection of the Ministry have the equal rights with all children of the country and it is their most natural right to experience April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day with their peers," the Ministry has said, "Being under the protection and care of the state is nothing that our children need to be ashamed of, that they need to hide or that require them to isolate themselves from society."

What happened?

Recently appointed Minister of Family and Social Services Derya Yanık invited a child to the Ministry on the occasion of April 23 Children's Day, as has long been a tradition in the state institutions.

Speaking before the press together with the child who is under state protection, thereby revealing his face before the press, Minister Yanık also turned to the reporters and said, "Of course, as it is Ramadan [fasting month of Muslims], we cannot offer anything. After Ramadan, he will come and visit us with his five friends with whom he stays in the same house, then we will use our right to offer chocolate and tea." (AÖ/SD)