Children Must Never Be Victims: Tragedy at a School in Kahramanmaraş

The Human Rights Platform of the Civil Movement “Dayanç” (Turkmenistan) has received with deep sorrow the tragic news of an armed attack that took place on April 15, 2026, in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. According to information published by the Turkish outlet Hürriyet, the incident occurred in the Onikişubat district at Ayşer Çalık Secondary School (Ayşer Çalık Ortaokulu). According to official data available at the time of publication, 4 people have been killed and at least 20 injured. Preliminary reports indicate that the attacker first opened fire in the schoolyard, then entered the school building and continued shooting. Numerous police units and emergency medical teams were dispatched to the scene. An investigation is ongoing, with prosecutors and law enforcement actively working on-site. However, behind these numbers are human lives — and it is especially painful to realize that this tragedy occurred in a school. A school must be a place of safety. A school must be a place where the future is built. A school is a place where children are. This is why such events do not only cause concern — they cause profound pain. We would like to emphasize in particular: children and educational institutions must never become victims of violence under any circumstances. This is a protected space that must be safeguarded at all levels — governmental, societal, and international. It is especially alarming that this is not an isolated incident. Two tragic events in schools within a short period are a signal that cannot be ignored. For us, this is not just news — it is a deep and personal pain. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish a full and speedy recovery to all those injured. We share this grief and stand in solidarity with them. The Human Rights Platform “Dayanç” strongly condemns all forms of violence, especially those targeting children and educational environments. We call for: strengthened security measures in schools, effective prevention of violence, prioritizing the protection of children at the state level, a transparent and impartial investigation into the incident. Children are our future. If we cannot protect them today, we risk losing our tomorrow. 📌 Source of information: This material is based on a publication by the Turkish newspaper Hürriyet https://www.hurriyet.com.tr⁠� 📌 Image source: The image used in this publication is taken from the Hürriyet newspaper article.