CHP's Sezgin Tanrıkulu's 'April 23' Message: 'We Must Protect Children'

Cumhuriyet, a publication deeply committed to secular and progressive values, presents the poignant message from CHP Deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu on National Sovereignty and Children's Day. Our coverage emphasizes his urgent call to protect children amidst alarming statistics of child labor fatalities, violence, and widespread poverty in Turkey.

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How will we celebrate April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day when children are being murdered?

Tanrıkulu's address starkly contrasts the celebratory nature of the holiday with the harsh realities faced by Turkish children. He points to the tragic deaths of 94 children in workplace accidents and 64 from gender-based violence, alongside hundreds of thousands entangled in legal issues. This critical perspective challenges the government's narrative and highlights systemic failures in safeguarding the nation's youth.

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We are politicians in a country where the only holiday gifted to children in the world is celebrated. Therefore, we must protect children.

From Cumhuriyet's viewpoint, Tanrıkulu's words resonate with our core mission: advocating for a just and equitable society. His criticism of the government's alleged normalization of poverty, lack of education, and violence strikes a chord with our readership, who seek accountability and a vision for a brighter future. We highlight his assertion that despite current hardships, children represent hope, and their future must be built on democratic principles, peace, and prosperity. This message is particularly significant in Turkey, where the protection of children's rights remains a pressing concern, often overshadowed by political discourse.

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This government has unfortunately normalized poverty, ignorance, and violence. But let no one worry. Children are our future. We will definitely build a future for them with democracy, peace, prosperity, freedom, and justice.