14.07.2026 15:00
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek made a statement regarding the regulation on Children Dragged into Crime (SSÇ) submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly by the AK Party Group. Minister Gürlek stated that the new bill includes important regulations that protect children, strengthen deterrence, and take public conscience into account, noting that the term 'Children Dragged into Crime' will be changed to 'Children in the Judicial Process'.
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek made a statement regarding the regulation on Children Drawn into Crime (SSÇ), which was presented to the parliament today by the AK Party Group and whose details were shared with the public by AK Party Deputy Group Chair Leyla Şahin Usta.
In his statement addressing the aims and objectives of the new bill, Minister Gürlek emphasized that the bill contains significant regulations that protect children, strengthen deterrence, and consider public conscience.
BROADER DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY FOR JUDGES
Minister of Justice Gürlek noted that the bill reorganizes the sentence reductions applicable to children in the 12-15 and 15-18 age groups, granting judges broader discretionary authority to consider the nature of the act in serious crimes such as intentional homicide and aggravated assault resulting from its consequences.
“CHILD DRAWN INTO CRIME” EXPRESSION WILL CHANGE”
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek stated that, in order to more strongly reflect a child-focused legal approach and the presumption of innocence, it is envisaged to replace the term “Child Drawn into Crime” in the legislation with “Child in the Judicial Process,” and that the aim is to establish an effective justice system that protects the child, prevents crime, prevents criminal organizations from exploiting children, strengthens family responsibility, and considers public conscience and victim rights in the face of serious crimes.
“IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MEET THE EXPECTATION OF JUSTICE OF FAMILIES WHO ARE CRIME VICTIMS”
Minister Gürlek’s statement is as follows:
“Preventing our children from facing judicial processes, protecting them from all forms of exploitation and threats, and meeting the expectation of justice of our families who are crime victims are among the most fundamental responsibilities of our state.
The Bill on Amendments to the Child Protection Law and Certain Laws, to the preparation of which we contributed with this understanding and which was submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly by our AK Party Group, includes important regulations that protect children, strengthen deterrence, and consider public conscience.
With the bill, the sentence reductions applicable to children in the 12-15 and 15-18 age groups are being reorganized; judges are granted broader discretionary authority to consider the nature of the act in serious crimes such as intentional homicide and aggravated assault resulting from its consequences.
Penalties for violations of obligations arising from family law are increased; sanctions against individuals who fail to fulfill their responsibilities regarding the care, supervision, and protection of the child are strengthened.
With the aim of protecting our children, new guiding measures are introduced regarding digital risks, addictions, environmental awareness, book and library habits, and social services. While the effectiveness of social examination reports is increased, inter-institutional coordination in protective and supportive measures is also strengthened.
Furthermore, in order to more strongly reflect a child-focused legal approach and the presumption of innocence, it is envisaged to replace the term “child drawn into crime” in our legislation with the term “child in the judicial process.”
Our goal is to establish an effective justice system that protects the child, prevents crime, prevents criminal organizations from exploiting children, strengthens family responsibility, and considers public conscience and victim rights in the face of serious crimes.
I thank all our colleagues, especially the TBMM Research Commission on Children Drawn into Crime, our AK Party Group that brought the bill to the parliamentary agenda, our relevant institutions, academics, and experts who contributed to the preparation of the bill.
Under the leadership of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan), we will continue to resolutely implement our reforms that consider together the best interests of our children, the peace and security of our society, and the expectation of justice of our victim families.”