Defend International

12 June 2016

PUBLIC STATEMENT

Turkey: DI Raises Concern About Exploitation of Syrian Refugee Children

(Oslo) – Defend International condemns the exploitation of Syrian refugee children in Turkey and calls on the authorities to provide refugee children with the opportunity to attend public schools that are suited to their needs.

Today is the World Day Against Child Labour. Around the world at least 168 million children are involved in child labour, which makes all supply chains at risk of having cases of child labour.

In an article published recently on the Daily Mail, it was revealed that the use of Syrian refugee children as work force is widespread in Turkey. Many children are involved in making uniforms that would later be smuggled into Syria and sold to ISIS fighters. The factory owner said that he had no problem selling uniforms to ISIS and that he also supplies Al Qaeda group Jabhat al-Nusra, Ahrar al-Sham and other rebel FSA fighters. It is sad to see that the Syrian children work 12 hour a day for just £10. It is equally sad to witness that almost 80% of Syrian children living in Turkey do not go to school.

All children deserve the opportunity to attend schools that are suited to their needs. We condemn the exploitation of children and call on the Turkish authorities to make it easier for Syrian adults to work in Turkey and to address the language barrier and the bullying problems the Syrian refugee children face when attending Turkish public schools.

Join us and say NO to:
– #ChildSlaves
– #AllWorkNoPlay and
– The (mis)use of Syrian refugee children as work force in Turkey.

 

Acknowledgment:

Photo: © Jodi Hilton