A recent statement by Turkey's Minister of Justice has shown the extent to which certain laws are used to open trials. Most shocking is the number of children put on trial. 

Article 301: 1,042 people on trial in two years

Following the written question of Diyarbakır’s Democratic Society Party (DTP) MP Selahattin Demirtaş, Minister of Justice Mehmet Ali Şahin told parliament that a total of 742 trials were opened under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code in 2006 and 2007, and that 1,042 people were tried in these cases.

From his answer it emerged that 16 of the people on trial were children.

During the same period, 309 people were convicted under Article 301; of these, six were children.

Anti-Terrorism Law: 737 children on trial

In his statement, which was given on 6 February, the minister further said that a total of 4,784 trials were opened in the relevant time period under Anti-Terrorism Law No. 3713. A total of 11,720 people were tried, 737 of them children.

Hundreds of children accused of membership in illegal organisations

Under Article 220 of the Turkish Penal Code, which deals with membership in and spreading propaganda for illegal organisations, 2,469 trials were opened in the two years. A total of 17,510 people were put on trial, 422 of them children.

Courts opened another 2,239 trials under Article 314, which deals with founding and leading an armed organisation. A total of 6,582 people were tried, 413 of them children.

EP worried about freedom of expression

On 11 February, the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted a report written by Ria Oomen-Ruijten, Dutch MEP and Rapporteur on Turkey’s accession, with 65 votes to 4.

The progress report on Turkey in 2008 emphasises worries about press freedom and freedom and expression in Turkey. It referred to changes in Article 301, which were made in April 2008 and took effect on 8 May, saying that the changes were not sufficient to prevent the trial of non-violent opinions. (EÖ/AG)