In recent years, the political turmoil in Turkey, particularly following the 2016 coup attempt, has deeply affected all segments of society. However, one of the most silent victims of this chaos has been the children and babies who have been unjustly imprisoned. At the same time, thousands of people falsely imprisoned and accused of being associated with the Gülen Movement also represent a significant portion of the prison population.

Children and Babies in Prison: The Silent Cry of Families

After 2016, one of the most debated issues in Turkey’s prisons has been the incarceration of children and babies. Many families have had their children sent to prison simply because of their parents’ political views, turning their situation into a tragedy for Turkey in terms of human rights violations.

In its 2018 report, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child stated that at least 700 children were incarcerated in Turkey. Many of these children are imprisoned alongside their parents. According to allegations from families, these children are imprisoned solely due to the political views of their parents, causing them to suffer immense psychological trauma and further damaging their development.

There have been cases where even infants have been taken to prison. Babies who have been forced to live in such conditions for years suffer both physically and psychologically. The living conditions in prisons, according to doctors, hinder their healthy development and have raised serious concerns about the long-term effects.

Innocent Gülenists in Prison: The Vanishing Face of Justice

Following the 2016 coup attempt, the Turkish government launched an unrelenting investigation against the Gülen Movement, affecting hundreds of thousands of people. This campaign did not only target the actual perpetrators but also led to the arrest of ordinary citizens, many of whom were detained without being charged or given a fair trial.

People linked to the Gülen Movement, as well as a vast number of other individuals, were arrested due to mere membership or supposed associations with the group. The arrests led to widespread human rights violations, attracting global criticism.

Since 2016, over 80,000 people have been arrested, and more than 150,000 people have been dismissed from public service. This massive wave of detentions has sparked outrage worldwide. Prisoners include teachers, academics, businesspeople, police officers, soldiers, and journalists, many of whom were detained without sufficient evidence or a fair trial. According to the Human Rights Association (İHD), at least 5,000 individuals are currently being held in Turkish prisons under such circumstances.

Statistical Data and Implications

Many international human rights organizations have provided alarming data regarding human rights violations in Turkey. Currently, there are more than 350,000 detainees in Turkish prisons, with approximately 30,000 of them arrested for political reasons. Gülenists, many of whom are academics and teachers, represent a significant portion of this group.

Amnesty International has consistently reported on the poor treatment, health problems, and administrative violations that prisoners face in Turkey’s prisons. As of 2024, the number of ill prisoners is estimated to have surpassed 1,000. Moreover, issues such as torture, ill-treatment, and prolonged detention are among the most common problems in prisons.

Conclusion and Future Perspective

The imprisonment of children, babies, and innocent individuals in Turkey represents a major miscarriage of justice, which not only undermines the rule of law but also violates basic human rights principles. People who have been imprisoned for their political views or alleged association with the Gülen Movement are being held without evidence or trial.

International human rights organizations continue to put pressure on Turkey to end these unjust practices. However, the Turkish government views this pressure as foreign interference and insists on maintaining its internal policies.

In conclusion, the wrongful detention of individuals, especially children, babies, and members of the Gülen Movement, has become not only a national but a global issue of justice. The plight of children and babies in prison is a clear violation of human rights, and bringing this issue to the forefront of international human rights advocacy is crucial to ensuring that justice is served, both in Turkey and worldwide.

Author: Abidin Eroldan | February 05, 2025