Children Behind Bars: The Hidden Victims of Turkey’s Crackdown

Introduction

When we think of political oppression, our minds often go to public demonstrations, imprisoned journalists, or forced exiles. Yet one of the most heartbreaking consequences of Turkey’s ongoing purge is largely invisible: hundreds of children growing up behind bars with their mothers. As advocates for the silenced and oppressed, we at Advocates of Silenced Turkey feel compelled to shine a light on these hidden victims and rally our community to act.

Since the massive crackdown following the 2016 coup attempt, Turkish authorities have detained thousands of women on vague terrorism charges. Many of these women are mothers of infants or toddlers. Under Turkish law, children under the age of six can stay with their incarcerated mothers. In practice, this means babies and preschoolers spending their formative years in overcrowded prisons, deprived of the freedom, sunshine, and play that every child deserves. Turkey’s prison occupancy rate is over 130% and significantly over official capacity, with a prison population of around 419,000 on September 1, 2025.

Life behind bars for mothers and children

Imagine spending your pregnancy in a cell. Many detainees have given birth in prison hospitals and returned to cells immediately, with no time to recover or bond in a nurturing environment. These tiny children sleep on thin mattresses, share cramped spaces with other inmates, and are denied access to nutritious food and proper medical care. Guards often treat them as collateral damage rather than innocent lives.

The lack of educational resources is another tragedy. We have spoken to mothers who say their children have never seen a book, let alone a classroom. Toys are scarce, and simple joys like running in a park or playing with peers are unimaginable. The only world these children know is steel bars, concrete walls, and whispered conversations.

The psychological toll on children

Experts warn that growing up in prison can have devastating psychological consequences. Children’s developing brains crave stimulation, exploration and affection. Without these, they are at higher risk for developmental delays, anxiety, and trauma. Mothers report nightmares, aggression, and social withdrawal in their children. Some toddlers even identify prison guards as parental figures because they have little contact with anyone else.

We at Silenced Turkey are particularly concerned about the ripple effects. Research shows that early childhood trauma can lead to long-term health problems, difficulties in school, and challenges forming healthy relationships. In essence, Turkey’s prison policies are creating a generation that will carry unseen scars for decades.

Why mothers are incarcerated

The Turkish government’s justification for jailing these women is often flimsy. Many were teachers, doctors, or civil servants accused of association with the Gülen movement or other dissident groups simply for having accounts at certain banks, sending their children to particular schools, or using encrypted messaging apps. Others were family members of activists, targeted in a punitive strategy to pressure relatives into surrender.

I have personally reviewed detention orders that list the vaguest accusations: attending a protest, donating to a charity, or having a cousin who was fired from a public university. Due process has evaporated; lengthy pre-trial detentions are common; and verdicts are routinely based on hearsay.

International legal standards and human rights

International human rights law is clear: children should only be deprived of liberty as a last resort, and parental incarceration should not be used to justify keeping minors in prison. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Turkey has ratified, obliges states to ensure that children are not arbitrarily separated from their parents and to provide special protection for those affected by parental detention.

Yet Turkey is failing to uphold these obligations. Civil society organizations, including ours, have documented numerous cases where judges ignored pleas for house arrest or delayed sentencing until children are older. In many instances, authorities have separated children from their mothers altogether, sending them to overcrowded orphanages or distant relatives without proper oversight.

What we can do

We cannot stay silent in the face of such cruelty. Our team at Advocates of Silenced Turkey is actively working on multiple fronts to bring these children home and support their families:

• Raising awareness: We create documentaries, host exhibitions, and publish reports that humanize this issue. By sharing personal stories, we appeal to the conscience of people worldwide and counter the state’s dehumanizing narrative.
• Legal advocacy: Our network of volunteer lawyers files appeals, challenges unjust sentences, and petitions international bodies. We believe that even in an authoritarian context, persistent legal pressure can yield results.
• Lobbying and diplomacy: We work with international organizations and governments to keep this issue on their agenda. Political pressure and diplomatic engagement have, in the past, forced the Turkish government to release high-profile detainees or allow visits from independent observers.

How you can help

This fight belongs to all of us. Here are ways you, our readers and supporters, can make a difference:

1. Share these stories: Use your social media platforms to amplify the voices of imprisoned mothers and their children. Awareness is the first step toward change.
2. Support our campaigns: Donate to Silenced Turkey or participate in our letter-writing campaigns to government officials and international bodies.
3. Host events: Organize screenings of our documentary “Metamorphosis” or host discussions in your community to educate others about human rights abuses in Turkey.
4. Advocate for policy change: Contact your elected representatives and urge them to speak out against human rights violations. Ask them to support resolutions and sanctions targeting human rights abusers.
5. Volunteer your expertise: Lawyers, mental-health professionals, and educators are especially needed to support our initiatives. Reach out if you can offer pro bono services.

Conclusion

We believe that every child deserves a childhood of love, safety and freedom. The existence of prison nurseries in Turkey is a moral stain on our collective conscience. As long as the government continues to weaponize motherhood and childrearing to intimidate its critics, our work remains urgent. Together, we can bring attention to these hidden victims and push for their release.

By standing up for children behind bars, we defend not only their rights but also the very foundation of human dignity. Let’s ensure that our voices become the chorus that sets them free.