BERIVAN’s PLIGHT: I'm IN PAIN.
15 Year Old Berivan is charged for throwing stones at the police at a demonstration in Batman, Turkey. Berivan who was sentenced to 7 years and 9 months imprisonment when she was tried as an adult at the “Special Heavy Penal Court” has written a letter to the head of Human Rights Association (IHD) in Elazig. Berivan in her trial had described that she was on her way to her Aunties house and spotted a gathering and went closer in to see what it was, at which point she got arrested. The little girl had described how she was made to accept all allegations because she was beaten up by the police.
Berivan writes about how the police covered her face with a scarf and took photos. She writes about how she is being tortured in prison. She says “When they arrested me they beat me up a lot. I don’t understand why they treated me like this. I am very upset here, I am in pain.”
She has covered the rear of the letter, with hearts, roses and trees with the phrase “I want to be free” all over it. (See excerpts from the little girl's letter below)
‘THEY WOULD NOT DO THE SAME TO THEIR OWN CHILDREN’
Berivan from the letter she sent from the E-Type cell she is imprisoned in, talks about how she can’t understand why she is being detained when she has done nothing. She says “Those people who have thrown me into here would really have not done what they’ve done to me if they had their own children.” She explains her longing for her parents and friends by saying “Being here I miss my family so much, I can’t even explain.” She continues by asking “How can I live my childhood in between four walls, I would never have dreamt of such a place”
‘I MISS MY FAMILY SO MUCH’
Berivan writes “This place is such a difficult place, even if tried to explain how much I can’t explain how much. I want to be out playing with my friends. Every time the door opens I hope for a letter or for them to take me out of here. I have never in my whole life stayed away from my family and that’s why I feel really scared here. I miss my family so much.” She continues by explaining how she can’t comprehend why she is being punished so heavily for something she hasn’t done, she says “I don’t understand why I am being punished for so long and I haven’t even done anything. I can’t understand the police, what did they want from me? What have I done to them? I wanted to study, go to school. Why did the police cover my face and took a photo? (note: at political demonstrations in Turkey a lot of the time people cover their faces with traditional scarves)
‘THEY TORTURED ME’
Berivan explains how the Police tortured her while she was being detained, she says “Why did they use force towards me? My legs are still covered with bruises. They put this cream on my legs to cover the bruises so no one can see them. They hit me a lot when they first took me in. I don’t know why they treated me like this. I’m only 15, I never deserved this place. No one deserves this place. I am very upset here, I am in pain here. I hope they will not accept my punishment and I can be free.”
LET’S NOT DESTROY OUR FUTURE BY KEEPING SILENT NOW
The recipient of the letter, Head of Human Right Association in Elazig, Nafiz Koc , reminds the public that according to UN agreement on the Rights of a Child, which Turkey had ratified, those that are under the age of 18 are still considered as children by law. He commented by saying “These children are our future. Let’s not destroy our future by keeping silent now” (Elazig/IHD)
Please spare 10 minutes and write to her a letter at the Address below. These letters clearly give her hope and will show the Turkish Authorities we are not forgetting her, no matter where in the world. See her letter below (Berivan’s Plight)!
Berivan SAYACA
B1 Kogusu E TIPI Diyarbakir Cezaevi
Diyarbakir/ Turkiye
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