World, Europe

Int’l Jurist Union slams children’s detention in France

4 children -- all 10 years old -- were detained last week for 11 hours over false allegations of ‘justifying terrorism’

Ali Murat Alhas  | 09.11.2020 - Update : 10.11.2020
Int’l Jurist Union slams children’s detention in France

ANKARA

The International Jurist Union head on Monday censured the detention of four children in France over alleged terrorism charges, saying such steps would boost racism and Islamophobia.

On Thursday, four 10-year-old children – three of them Turkish descent, one of Algerian descent – were held in police detention for more than 11 hours in Albertville, southeastern France, on false allegations of "justifying terrorism," according to interviews with their parents.

Criticizing the “unlawful” detention of children, Secretary General Necati Ceylan said in a press release that children should not be dragged into such tensions as they would be negatively affected pedagogically and psychologically, and such practices would pave way for racist, xenophobic and Islamophobic characters.

"Racist and Islamophobic discourse of French leaders were imposed on underage children, and their future would be adversely shaped by such motives," he warned.

The top official said his organization condemned detention of children, violation of their rights, and urged French authorities to comply with laws.

Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.