ANKARA - Citizens of Ankara reacting to the new regulation to be tabled in the parliament about 'amnesty to child abuse through marriage', said: "Standing against this is a duty of humanity. We don't want amnesty to child abuse" and called on to the parliament to abort it.

 

 

In spite of all objections, the draft law, which includes amnesty to child abuse through marriage under the second judicial package, is expected to be discussed in Parliament later this month. The bill, which has been brought up from time to time since 2016, envisages amnesty to the perpetrator by marrying the child to the abuser if the age difference is no more than 10.

 

While reactions from all segments of the society continue to come against this arrangement, citizens of Ankara, who spoke to the Mesopotamia Agency, called on to the parliament to abort this draft.

 

'STATE POLICY'

 

Güler Demirci, emphasizing that the child gets mentally depressed when abused, said: "And they will force the child to except that man as a husband, how can this happen? It is a forced marriage. The child's life fall apart like this. How can she be happy? Demirci stating that she is against this draft, said the draft is the state policy. 

 

Hatice Tezgider, mother of two, said: "There is no such thing as amnesty to child abuse. They should impose heavier punishments on child abuser's not amnesty."

 

Taylan Asırkefeli, stating that the draft aims to disrupt the order and the peace of the people, said: "I don't know how much more they can disrupt the peace of the people. Men should stand against this as the women do. Certainly they should not be forgiven. There is nothing more wrong than this. But unfortunately I believe this draft will pass through the parliament as did the other horrible drafts. We saw everything in this country. I hope we won't have to see this too."

 

Another citizen who did not want their name revealed said: "The moment this draft passes, worse things will happen. How can they punish a child more by marrying her to her abuser? What kind of people have we sent to the parliament? Have they got no conscience? The child abuse cases increase because there is no deterrent punishment. The state must have sanction power. Penalties must be imposed on rape, child abuse and women's murders. But they rather free those perpetrators. Why? To make Mr. Bahçeli happy? He has no one that could get hurt from these laws and regulations. He lives alone."

 

 

 

MA / Zemo Ağgöz - Emrullah Acar