For many countries it is important to protect young children and adolescents against coercion to engage in any sexual activities; that is why many states have established an “age of consent”. However, some countries, such Turkey, do not seem so interested in protecting their young citizens.
Turkey’s Constitutional Court recently determined, beginning January, that sex with children between 13 and 15 will no longer be considered a crime.
Turkey’s actions generated an international outrage since it appears they are encouraging pedophilia.
Sweden’s ambassador was called in for a meeting over the incident. In addition, Austria’s acting ambassador to Turkey was called in after a news ticker in Vienna’s airport reported that Turkey had legalized pedophilia.
The Constitutional Court tried to clarify this accusation in a press release.
On it, the Court claimed that:
“sexual abuse actions against children will not be decriminalized and will not remain unpunished,”
However, that institution has yet to explain in which instances child sex is punishable.
Unfortunately, revoking the law prohibiting sex with children 13 and older is only promoting the decline of children’s rights, and in turn encouraging child brides.
Read more at American Action News
Photo Credit to Anders Lejczak
