reasoning

Turkey was among the first countries to sign the CRC when the then President, Turgut Özal, signed it at the UN “World Summit for Children” held between September 29-30, 1989. Since signing, Turkey, has still not been able to meet the regulations outlined in the Convention. Although the government has a responsibility and an obligation to review norms of national laws and to identify rules that are not in compliance with the Convention and then make the necessary changes, the government is yet to act. The legislations focusing on the child’s rights have not improved. It is apparent that these changes have not been dealt with adequately over the last 15 years.

In Turkey:

Despite the urgency of the changes, especially in Civil Law, Labor Law, Criminal Law and vulnerable children in need of special protective measures, the initiatives that have been carried out to date are not adequate.

Half of girls and one forth of boys leave school after the first half of primary education. 

The essential needs of vulnerable children in need of care and protection have not been met, and the desired development of such services has not happened.  Additionally, no improvements have been made for the number of children who are under the care and protection of the state, and the campaigns to create interest for fostering, adoption, and improve family practices have not been successful.

There exists no service or program to protect street children and to address and eliminate the reasons that force children to the streets. These children live on the streets, completely vulnerable to any kinds of dangers. They lose their identity as individual people because their participation rights are severely in danger as well as their rights to life and personal development.