Last Minute News: Guide on Ending Child Surrender through Enforcement
New Guide Prepared by Ministry of Justice, UNICEF Turkey, and Başkent University
The Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with UNICEF Turkey and Başkent University Criminal Law and Criminology Application and Research Center (CEKAMER), has prepared a new guide titled “Guide on the Process of Execution of Decisions and Injunctions Regarding Child Surrender and Establishing Personal Relationship with the Child.” This guide was created to address the procedures related to child delivery and establishing personal relationships with the child, aiming to consider the best interests of the child.
Minister Tunç stated that the Ministry has provided face-to-face and online trainings to responsible parties, including managers, experts, and record clerks, to ensure they are well-versed in legislation and workflow steps. He emphasized that the guide complements these trainings and is designed to help practitioners carry out procedures in compliance with the law, while prioritizing the best interests of the child.
Minister Tunç revealed that child delivery and establishing personal relationships with the child will now be carried out by experts in child interview centers, which have been designed in a child-friendly manner to ensure a more supportive and positive environment.
Furthermore, he emphasized that the new practice aims to put an end to the longstanding tradition of surrendering children through enforcement by expanding child-friendly centers throughout Turkey. This initiative has been implemented in 167 out of 592 courthouses and is now carried out by the Legal Support and Victim Services Directorates. Minister Tunç highlighted the importance of this change, as it prevents children from experiencing distressing situations and ensures they are delivered to interview centers by professionals.
In addition to these advancements, Minister Tunç announced the distribution of 4,000 guide books to family courts and relevant institutions to support children’s rights in judicial processes. The digital version of the guide is also available on the Department of Legal Support and Victim Services website.
Overall, the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Justice, UNICEF Turkey, and Başkent University are paving the way for improved practices and protective measures for children involved in judicial processes. The introduction of the new guide and the expansion of child-friendly centers represent significant steps towards safeguarding the well-being and rights of children in Turkey.
