14.07.2026 16:12
The regulation on "children dragged into crime," prepared by the AK Party Group and aimed at protecting children, preventing crime, and making the justice system more child-focused, was submitted to the Speaker's Office of the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Prof. Dr. Cüneyt Yüksel, Chairman of the TBMM Justice Commission, explained the details of the regulation's targets and objectives. Parliamentary discussions on the bill in the commission will begin on Friday, July 16, 2026.
The details of the new bill submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (GNAT), known in the public as the "child driven to crime" regulation, have been revealed.
Prof. Dr. Cüneyt Yüksel, Chairman of the GNAT Justice Commission, made detailed statements on the issue, stating that the bill aims to strengthen the juvenile justice system, increase parental responsibility, and ensure top-level public security.
This comprehensive reform package, which proposes amendments to 7 different laws and consists of 18 articles, brings significant innovations to the child protection and penal execution system.
FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN TERMINOLOGY: THE CHILD IN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS PERIOD
With the new bill, a very important step is being taken to strengthen the child rights approach and the presumption of innocence in the criminal justice system.
The term "child driven to crime" in the legislation is completely removed and replaced with the expression "child in the judicial process."
ADDITIONAL MEASURES WILL BE INTRODUCED
For children who do not have criminal responsibility, in addition to existing shelter, education, health, and care measures, measures will be introduced for social and community services, protection from digital risks, books and libraries, respect for the environment and environmental cleanliness, and behavioral addiction aimed at combating tobacco, nicotine, alcohol, gambling, drugs, and stimulants.
MANDATORY SOCIAL INVESTIGATION WILL BE INTRODUCED
A direct bridge is being established between hospitals and courthouses to ensure that children who pose a danger due to mental illness or addiction can quickly access treatment. Additionally, for the protection of children's rights, indictments prepared without a social investigation report for children under the age of 15 will be returned by the courts.
PENALTIES ARE INCREASING
To prevent the decreasing age of criminality in recent years and the use of children by criminal organizations, deterrent regulations are being made in the Turkish Penal Code (TPC).
With the amendment to Article 31 of the TPC, the lower and upper limits of prison sentences for children are being raised. For crimes of intentional killing and aggravated wounding resulting in consequences; for children aged 15-18, no sentence reduction may be applied at the judge's discretion (considering intentional fault, past criminal record, and the manner of the crime).
For children aged 12-15, a smaller sentence reduction will be allowed under certain conditions.
AGE FOR RECIDIVISM IS BEING LOWERED
To prevent criminal organizations from using children aged 15-18, the age limit for applying recidivism provisions is being lowered from 18 to 15.
PRISON FOR THOSE WHO FAIL TO SECURE THEIR WEAPONS
The bill imposes serious sanctions on the responsibilities of families and adults, as well as children involved in crime.
The penalties for the crime of "Violation of Obligation Arising from Family Law" are being increased. If a child commits intentional killing or aggravated wounding due to the parents' neglect of their obligations, the penalty for the parents will be increased by half to two times.
Individuals who store their firearms contrary to the obligation of care and attention, causing them to fall into the hands of a child, will be sentenced to 1 to 3 years in prison.
NEW ARTICLE TO THE MISDEMEANOR LAW
The sale of cutting, piercing, and bruising tools other than those covered by Law No. 6136 to children, their purchase by children, and their carrying are prohibited. Administrative sanctions will be applied to those who act in violation.
DIRECT ADMISSION TO EDUCATION HOUSES ENDS: FIRST PRISON
Critical changes are also being made to the execution regime to rehabilitate juvenile convicts and ensure justice in execution.
Juvenile convicts will not begin serving their sentences directly in education houses. Execution will first begin in closed juvenile penal institutions; if the child is determined to be of good conduct, they may be transferred to education houses.
LIMITATION ON SENTENCE REDUCTIONS
For crimes of intentional killing, crimes against sexual inviolability, drug trafficking, and forming criminal organizations; the practice of "counting 1 day spent in prison as 2 days" for children under 15 is being abolished. In these serious crimes, 1 day will now be calculated as 1 day.
“WE ARE DETERMINED TO MAKE TURKEY'S CENTURY THE CENTURY OF JUSTICE”
Emphasizing the importance of the bill, Prof. Dr. Cüneyt Yüksel concluded his statement with the following words:
"As the Justice and Development Party, all our efforts are aimed at developing the principle of the rule of law and strengthening the justice system. This prepared Bill is one of the most important steps in our determination to make Turkey's Century the Century of Justice, as we promised. I hope this bill, which prioritizes the best interests of our children, will be beneficial for our country and our esteemed nation."
WHEN WILL THE COMMISSION MEETINGS BE?
The commission meetings for the bill, which is expected to be a new milestone in children's rights and criminal justice, will begin on Friday, July 16, 2026, at 14:30.