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Source: Initial report: CRC/C/51/Add.4, 8 August 2000
 
Minimum age for the end of compulsory education
105. The Turkish Law on Primary Education repeats the constitutional provision to the effect that primary education is compulsory and free for all citizens and declares the 6–14 age bracket as the compulsory primary education period.
 
Minimum age for admission to employment
108. Under article 67 of the Labour Law, it is forbidden to employ children under 15 years of age, with the exception that employment in light work may be permitted to 13-year-old children if it will not adversely affect their health, school education or vocational training. On the other hand, 12 was set to be the lower age limit for working in article 173 of the General Law on Hygiene. Efforts are under way to deal with such discrepancies.
109. Similarly, according to article 59 (1) of the National Basic Education Law, children of primary school age but not attending an educational institution may not be employed with or without pay in any public or private enterprise or in any other institution. However, article 59(2) permits the employment of children attending a primary school, provided that the attendance is proven by documentary evidence and that the employment is outside of school hours.
527. According to the Labour Law (No. 1475), the minimum age for employment is defined as 15 as a rule and as 13 for exceptional light work. However, due to the fact that this provision is void in places where three people or more are employed, the minimum working age is 12, as specified in article 173 (1) of the Common Hygiene Law No. 1593.
 
Minimum age for marriage
87. The Civil Code lays down the minimum age for getting married as 18. However, with the consent of the parents, this limit can be 17 years of age for males and 15 years of age for females. Irrespective of these limits, the judge may permit the marriage of a 15-year-old male with a 14-year-old female for important reasons and under exceptional circumstances under article 88 of the Code.
 
Minimum age for criminal responsibility
165. Under the Turkish Penal Code, the age of transition to full penal liability is 18. Nevertheless, according to the Law on Juvenile Courts, the minimum age to stand before these courts is 15 years.
480. Article 11 of the Law on the Establishment, Duties and Procedures of Juvenile Courts states that No investigation can be made about and no sentence can be given to those who are younger than 11 years old at the time the crime is committed. However, if the crime requires an imprisonment sentence of more than one year or a heavier sentence, one of the measures specified in article 10 is applied. If sufficient measures will be taken by parents or persons liable for taking care of the child who is younger than 11 years old, other measures may not be applied by the court. Article 12 states that If the investigation carried out in accordance with article 20 on a child who has completed the aged of 11 but has not completed the age of 15 when the criminal act is committed does not require a sentence, one of the measures specified in article 10 may be applied by the court.
 
Source: Initial report: CRC/C/51/Add.4, 8 August 2000