Türkiye’s changes to child detention ‘raise serious human rights concerns’

Türkiye's recent amendments to its Child Protection Law have sparked widespread condemnation from international human rights bodies, with the United Nations expressing deep concern over the potential implications for children's rights. On 13 August 2026, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk strongly criticized the legislative changes, which were passed by Türkiye’s parliament on 14 August 2026. These amendments significantly alter the treatment of minors in the criminal justice system, allowing judges to impose life sentences on child offenders convicted of serious crimes. This move has raised alarms among global human rights advocates, who argue that it violates international standards aimed at protecting children. The new legislation increases penalties for individuals aged 15 to 18, granting judges the authority to disregard age-related sentencing reductions for those found guilty of intentional homicide or severe bodily harm. Additionally, it mandates the detention of child offenders in closed juvenile institutions instead of educational centers designed for rehabilitation. According to Türk, these changes contradict the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, specifically Article 37, which stipulates that the detention of children should be a last resort and for the shortest possible duration. Türkiye signed the convention in 1990 and ratified it in 1994, though it has not formally addressed Article 37. Türk emphasized that juvenile justice systems should balance accountability with rehabilitation, ensuring that children receive personalized support and opportunities for reintegration into society. He warned that prolonged detention of minors could lead to increased recidivism and fail to address the root causes of delinquency. His comments come amid broader concerns about the treatment of detainees under the administration of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, including the controversial arrests of opposition figures and supporters. The UN has previously voiced concerns regarding the arbitrary detention of individuals in Türkiye, highlighting cases such as the arrest of opposition leader Ekrem İmamoğlu and those protesting his detention. These incidents have drawn criticism from international observers, who view them as indicative of a broader pattern of human rights violations. Türk reiterated the need for Türkiye to align its legal framework with its international obligations, urging lawmakers to revise the amendments to ensure compliance with global human rights norms. In addition to the situation in Türkiye, the UN has also highlighted ongoing issues related to the detention of civilians in the context of the war in Ukraine. According to reports from the United Nations, over 16,000 civilians captured by Russia during the conflict remain deprived of their freedom, many held incommunicado and under conditions that violate international law. Claudia Fuentes Julio, the U.N. assistant secretary-general for human rights, described the widespread and systematic torture and ill-treatment of both Ukrainian civilian detainees and prisoners of war, including instances of sexual violence. Julio presented these findings at an informal meeting of the U.N. Security Council convened by Latvia and the United Kingdom to draw attention to the plight of those detained during the war. The council session took place as both Russia and Ukraine intensified their military operations in the four-year-old conflict. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, U.N. human rights officials have spoken to nearly 1,300 Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees after their release. However, the U.N. has not been granted access to Russian detention facilities, limiting its ability to verify the exact number of adult and child detainees. Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees have consistently reported experiencing torture and ill-treatment, often multiple times. Many described inhumane conditions, including food shortages and inadequate medical care. The U.N. has documented the execution of 129 Ukrainian prisoners of war shortly after their capture, along with the deaths of 48 additional prisoners due to torture, lack of medical attention, or other deplorable detention conditions. These revelations underscore the gravity of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. Testimonies from former detainees further illustrate the severity of the situation. Leniie Umerova, a Crimean Tatar human rights activist, recounted her experience of being arbitrarily detained by Russian authorities on fabricated charges. Despite securing a court order for her release, she was subjected to repeated transfers between detention facilities, describing the ordeal as a “carousel of repression.” Similarly, Khuan Leyva Garsiya, a Ukrainian soldier formerly held captive at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, shared harrowing details of his 1,183-day imprisonment, during which he endured physical and psychological abuse based on suspicions of his Cuban heritage and U.S. education. These accounts highlight the urgent need for international intervention and adherence to established human rights standards. As the global community continues to monitor developments in both Türkiye and Ukraine, the emphasis remains on ensuring that the rights of vulnerable populations are upheld and protected.