15 Minors Sentenced for Throwing Rocks in Turkey's Mersin

The minors, ages 13 to 17, were arrested recently for participating in protests in Mersin against the imprisonment of Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, who has been in prison for 11 years.

They were prosecuted for “making propaganda of a terrorist organization and committing crime on behalf of a terrorist organization.” The prosecutor had demanded five to eight years for each minor, reports Turkish Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review.

After the hearing parents protested the decision and their attorney, Vedat Ozkan, said while certain legal regulations were considered on this issue, the verdict is conspicuously against law and justice.

“These kids, who have nothing to do with the terrorist organization, were rendered to be so. We will appeal, most certainly. If our petition to appeal is rejected we are determined to go to the European Court of Human Rights.”

PKK, is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and many other countries worldwide.

Meanwhile, in response to the opposition's proposal for a general amnesty for imprisoned minors, the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, has said it is now working to reduce the length of their sentences.

On the 90th anniversary of Children’s Day, the Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP, leader Devlet Bahceli proposed a pardon for all children in prison. The proposal, however, was dismissed in Parliament on Wednesday. The AKP opposed the proposal, arguing that such a change could pave the way for a “general pardoning” for all imprisoned.

Instead, a set of new measures, including shortening minors’ sentences, was highlighted at the Parliament’s Judicial Committee where the proposal was discussed.

The AKP is preparing to work on amendments related to children involved in terror crimes.

The lower limit of punishment for those, including minors, who attend illegal demonstrations will be reduced from one year and six months to one year. Those who attend illegal demonstrations with emblems of a terror organization or fight with security forces will be punished with a two-year jail sentence instead of the current five years, in line with the planned amendment to the meeting and demonstration law.

Adults will also benefit from the new arrangement. The AKP also plans to reduce the duration of stay in prison for children who stand accused of terror-related crimes. Children who have served two-thirds of their sentence of imprisonment will be released conditionally, according to the anticipated amendments.