06.11.2007 - Source: European Commission

Progress Report 2007 on the preparation for EU membership (democracy and rule of law, human rights and protection of minorities, economic criteria and ability to assume obligations of membership) ("Turkey 2007 Progress Report [SEC(2007) 1436]") [ID 22206]

Document(s): Open document

17.08.2007 - Source: International Crisis Group

Report on the country's new chance to get the EU accession plans back on track ("Turkey and Europe: The Way Ahead") [ID 22498]

Document(s): Open document

30.11.2006 - Source: Guardian

Brussels takes unprecedented step of partially suspending accession negotiations ("EU on collision course with Ankara over membership") [ID 18396]

Document(s): Open document

08.11.2006 - Source: European Commission

EU progress report 2006 ("Turkey 2006 Progress Report") [ID 19020]

Document(s): Open document

27.09.2006 - Source: Federal Government (Germany)

Collective religious freedom and EU accession ("Antwort der Bundesregierung auf die Kleine Anfrage der Fraktion Bündnis 90/Die Grünen - BT-Drs. 16/2739 -") [ID 17999]

"Der Europäische Rat machte im Rahmen der Eröffnung der Beitrittsverhandlungen mit der Türkei am 3. Oktober 2005 klar, dass die tatsächliche und umfassende Durchführung des Reformprozesses von der Kommission weiterhin aufmerksam verfolgt wird und ersuchte die Kommission, dem Rat regelmäßige Berichte über diesen Prozess vorzulegen. Dies bezieht auch die Frage der Religionsfreiheit ein. Die Frage wird von der EU auf allen Ebenen, insbesondere im Rahmen des laufenden politischen Dialogs mit der Türkei sowie in den verschiedenen, aufgrund des Assoziationsabkommens zwischen der EG und der Türkei eingerichteten Gremien angesprochen.

Der Erlass eines umfassenden Rechtsrahmens, der europäischen Standards entspricht und allen bestehenden Mängeln auf diesem Gebiet abhilft, ist in der überarbeiteten Beitrittspartnerschaft vom 23. Januar 2006 als kurzfristige Priorität aufgeführt.

Die Frage ist ferner Gegenstand des Kapitels 23 „Justiz und Grundrechte“ im Rahmen des Screening-Prozesses der EU-Beitrittsverhandlungen."

Document(s): BT-Drs16/2739

09.11.2005 - Source: European Commission

EU progess report 2005 ("Turkey; 2005 Progress Report") [#38844],  [ID 19031]

Document(s): Open document

04.2005 - Source: UK Home Office

European Union reforms 2002- 2004 ("Country Report - April 2005") [#31987],  [ID 13170]

"[...] The Independent newspaper reported on 14 December 2002 that the European Union summit in Copenhagen on 12 and 13 December 2002 decided that Turkey would have to wait until December 2004 before a review that could lead to negotiations for Turkey to join the EU. The review would decide whether Turkey met the human rights criteria.

[...] The European Commission Regular Report on Turkey’s progress towards Accession 2003, published in November 2003, recorded that “Four major packages of political reform have been adopted over the last year [2002-2003], introducing changes to different areas of legislation. Some of the reforms carry great political significance as they impinge upon sensitive issues in the Turkish context, such as freedom of expression, freedom of demonstration, cultural rights and civilian control of the military. In this context, the seventh reform package adopted in July 2003 was particularly important.”

[...] Information obtained from the Turkish Prime Minister’s website (accessed August 2003), detailed that the fourth reform package (December 2002) stipulated that punishment handed down for convictions of torture and abuse could not be converted into fines and neither could they be postponed. Further measures were introduced that made it more difficult for those convicted of inflicting torture to avoid prison sentences and making it more difficult for courts to ban political parties. Journalists were no longer required to disclose their sources to the authorities.

[...] The Prime Minister’s website reported that “On 23 January 2003, parliament adopted the fifth EU reform package, which permits the re-trial of persons in line with the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). Under the law, if an individual, who applied to the ECtHR, is found to be in the right, he/she can re-apply for a retrial to the court in his/her country, which found him/her guilty.”

[...] The same website reported that on 19 July 2003 the sixth European Union reform package came into effect. The 22-article package foresees amendments to several laws, including the abolishment of Article 8 of the Anti-Terrorism Law entitled, ‘propaganda against the indivisibility of the state.’ The sixth reform package also made provision for state-owned and private radio and television channels to broadcast in languages and dialects used traditionally in the daily life of Turkish citizens such as Kurdish.

[...] As outlined in the Prime Minister’s website, the seventh reform package was approved by the Parliament on 29 July 2003 and by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer on 6 August 2003. The package reduced the political role of the armed forces. The National Security Council’s Secretary General no longer needs to be a military man and the council’s role will be reduced to that of an advisory body. Another amendment regulates that the NSC will convene once every two months instead of monthly. It also restricted the jurisdiction of Military Courts over civilians in times of peace and gives Parliament scrutiny over military accounts.

[...] The website noted that there were also a number of laws easing restrictions on freedom of association and assembly and on the teaching of non-Turkish languages in schools. The seventh reform package also stated that investigations into crimes of torture and maltreatment will be considered urgent cases and it will not be possible to adjourn the trials of these crimes for more than thirty days. These hearings will continue to be held even during the judicial recess.

[...]However, the European Commission, in its November 2003 report, concluded that despite these reforms Turkey still failed to meet the Copenhagen political criteria.

[...] On 16 September 2004 the BBC reported that Turkey's government had withdrawn from debate a penal code reform bill seen as crucial to the country's EU entry. “The move came hours after members of the ruling party said they would bring an amendment to introduce a clause to criminalising (sic) adultery. On Tuesday the government appeared to have dropped plans to make adultery a crime after pressure from the EU.”

[...] On 26 September 2004 it was reported by the BBC that the Turkish parliament had approved reforms to its penal code. As noted by the BBC, the Penal Code reform implies that: assaults on women will be more heavily punished, that rape in marriage is recognised and that there will be life terms for perpetrators of ‘honour killings’ and jail terms for the sexual molestation of children, trafficking of human organs and the pollution of the environment. Tougher measures against perpetrators of torture will be introduced and corruption in government has to be tackled. Proposals to criminalise adultery have been dropped.

[...] As reported by the BBC on 6 October 2004, the European Commission had recommended opening talks on the admission of Turkey to the EU but EU officials had said that Ankara had to meet stiff conditions and there had been no recommended date to start negotiations with Turkey. Key points from the European Commission's report on Turkey's progress towards meeting the conditions for EU membership such as political reforms; economic reforms; military reforms; judicial reforms; human rights torture; women’s rights; children’s rights; minority rights; freedom of religion and freedom of the press were highlighted by the BBC. As noted by the BBC “The report is the basis for the Commission's recommendation to open Turkish accession talks.”

[...] As stated in the Recommendation of the European Commission on Turkey’s progress towards accession published 6 October 2004: “In view of the overall progress of reforms, and provided that Turkey brings into force the outstanding legislation mentioned above, the Commission considers that Turkey sufficiently fulfils the political criteria and recommends that accession negotiations be opened.”

[...] As noted in the conclusions of the European Commission Regular Report on Turkey’s progress towards Accession 2004, published 6 October 2004: “In conclusion, Turkey has achieved significant legislative progress in many areas, through further reform packages, constitutional changes and the adoption of a new Penal Code, and in particular in those identified as priorities in last year’s report and in the Accession Partnership. Important progress was made in the implementation of political reforms, but these need to be further consolidated and broadened. This applies to the strengthening and full implementation of provisions related to the respect of fundamental freedoms and protection of human rights, including women’s rights, trade union rights, minority rights and problems faced by non-Muslim religious communities. Civilian control over the military needs to be asserted, and law enforcement and judicial practice aligned with the spirit of the reforms. The fight against corruption should be pursued. The policy of zero tolerance towards torture should be reinforced through determined efforts at all levels of the Turkish state. The normalisation of the situation in the Southeast should be pursued through the return of displaced persons, a strategy for socio-economic development and the establishment of conditions for the full enjoyment of rights and freedoms by the Kurds.”

[...] On 15 December 2004 the BBC reported that the European Parliament had called on European Union leaders to open entry talks with Turkey "without undue delay". “A non-binding resolution supporting the start of accession negotiations was backed by 407 MEPs, with 262 against.“ As outlined by the BBC, earlier that day the Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul had told the Turkish Milliyet daily newspaper that there were four "red lines" that Turkey would not cross namely: negotiations had to have Turkey's complete membership as the final aim; Turkey had not to be forced to extend diplomatic recognition to the Republic of Cyprus; the decision to start talks had not to be conditional on subsequent decisions by EU leaders and there should be no special conditions imposed permanently on Turkey.

[...] As reported by the BBC on 17 December 2004, “The EU has offered to begin membership talks with Turkey next year, with 3 October [2005] given as a start date. EU leaders said the aim of the talks - which could take up to 15 years - would be full membership, but Turkey's entry could not be guaranteed… EU leaders warned Turkey that it would have to take steps to recognise Cyprus before the talks started.” [66al] Later that day, the BBC mentioned that the EU and Turkey had struck a deal over an EU demand that Turkey recognised Cyprus before membership talks begin. “The solution they found after two days of tough and at times heated talks was for Turkey to tacitly acknowledge the Cyprus government for the first time.”

[...] BBC reported on 18 December 2004 that Turkey's draft EU entry terms were as follows. “Turkey must sign a customs accord extending to all EU members, including Cyprus. The accord must be signed by the start of entry talks, proposed for October 2005. Membership talks will be open-ended. There is no guarantee of full membership if conditions are not met. If negotiations do fail, Europe will not turn its back on Turkey. Turkey must continue with political and economic reforms. Some safeguards may remain over migration of workers from Turkey.”"

Document(s): Open document

04.2005 - Source: UK Home Office

European Union reforms 2001-2002 ("Country Report - April 2005") [#31987],  [ID 13171]

"[...] As noted in the UNHCR background paper 2001 “Turkey has been an associate member of the then European Commission (now EU) since 1 December 1964 and made a formal application to join the EU in April 1987…. In 1999, the EU declared Turkey a candidate for EU Accession at its Helsinki Summit.”

[...] The Independent reported in October 2001 that Turkey had completed its biggest legislative overhaul in two decades, when Parliament approved a package of 34 amendments to the Constitution designed to pave the way for membership of the European Union. The amendments, ranging from easing restrictions on using the Kurdish language, to making it harder to ban political parties, were the first big shake-up of Turkey’s Constitution since it was drafted after the 1980 military coup.

[...] As stated in the European Commission’s Regular Report on Turkey’s Progress Towards Accession 2002, published October 2002 “The constitutional amendments of October 2001 led to the adoption of three sets of implementing legislation in 2002. The three ‘reform packages’, adopted in February, March and August 2002 in Acts No 4744, 4748 and 4771, modified various provisions of Turkey’s major legislation and addressed a wide range of human rights issues, including the death penalty, the exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms, pre-trial detention and legal redress.”

[...] The European Commission 2002 continued: “The adoption of these reforms demonstrates the determination of the majority of Turkey's political leaders to move towards further alignment with the values and standards of the European Union. These reforms were adopted under difficult political and economic circumstances, and represent a major shift in the Turkish context.”

[...] The European Commission 2002 further reported that “The reform package adopted by Parliament in August 2002 was particularly far reaching. Among the amendments adopted are the lifting of the death penalty in peace time, the possibility for Radio and TV broadcasting in Kurdish, the widening of freedom of expression and greater freedom for non-Moslem religious minorities.”

[...] However, the European Commission concluded in its 2002 report that Turkey did not fully meet the Copenhagen political criteria for EU membership."

Document(s): Open document

06.10.2004 - Source: European Commission

EU progress report 2004 ("Regular Report 2004 on Turkey´s progress towards accession") [#26161],  [ID 13172]

Document(s): Open document

07.07.2004 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

Continued systematic use of torture despite efforts to satisfy EU human rights criteria ("Violence Against Women - 10 reports - year 2003") [#24621],  [ID 13175]

"In an effort to satisfy EU human rights criteria for accession, Turkey adopted constitutional amendments on October 4, 2001 and three legislative reform packages in February, March and August 2002, Acts No. 4744, 4748 and 4771, addressing several human rights issues including capital punishment, pre-trial detention, access to counsel and notification of next of kin when someone is placed in custody. [...]

In May 2002, a regulation was adopted forbidding the blindfolding of detainees in police custody. In June 2002, in response to criticisms by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, the Director General for Security issued a circular prohibiting the projection of light into the face of suspects during interrogation and providing that interrogation rooms may no longer be painted black. The circular also called on all officials to be vigilant against torture. In August 2002, the legislature provided for the possibility of retrial for criminal and civil cases to comply with the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). This law, however, was formulated to apply only to cases filed with the ECtHR after August 2003. The legislature also amended Article 13 of the Civil Servants Law rendering public officials found guilty of torture or ill-treatment personally liable to pay compensation set by the judgments of the ECtHR. [...]

OMCT welcomes the legal reforms described above but remains extremely concerned about the continuing systematic use of torture in Turkey and the lack of good faith and due diligence on the part of Turkish law enforcement authorities in the implementation of these reforms. The Turkish government must do much more in terms of monitoring compliance and training its civil servants. Moreover, some of the Constitutional and statutory amendments do not go far enough in protecting persons from torture, while still others contain implementing provisions which are ambiguous and perpetuate proscribed practices. OMCT also notes with concern that public officials, including prosecutors and police officers are reported to be unaware of recent legal changes and continue to operate under the old rules.

It is of grave concern that Turkish law still does not guarantee immediate access to counsel for detainees under the jurisdiction of the State Security Courts. Over the past few years, United Nations experts, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and others have repeatedly called on Turkey to abolish incommunicado detention at police stations as the single most important step in eradicating torture in Turkey. As described above, the current law still allows for the detention of persons at police stations and gendarmeries for two days without access to lawyers. It is during this period of incommunicado detention that police most frequently torture and mistreat persons in their custody. Moreover the denial of access to counsel for detainees under the jurisdiction of the State Security Courts is reported to have a “knock-on” effect for other detainees, i.e. those arrested for common criminal offences who are also frequently denied their rights to legal assistance. Police officers are reported to threaten these detainees with additional charges for political offences if they attempt to assert their right to assistance of counsel. In many police stations access to counsel is routinely delayed until detainees have given a formal statement, and prosecutors and courts still rely heavily on uncorroborated confessions and “statements” in the prosecution and adjudication of guilt in criminal cases.

In its report on its visit to Turkey from 21 to 27 of March 2002, the CPT confirmed that access to counsel remained a significant problem particularly in the provinces."

Document(s): Introduction and Contents
Cover Turkey

07.2004 - Source: Minority Rights Group International

Protection of minority rights still falls short of EU standards ("Minorities in Turkey; Submission to the European Union and the Government of Turkey") [#25193],  [ID 13174]

"The application process and the conditional nature of EU membership have had a significant impact on human rights practice in Turkey. Turkey has devised and adopted a National Programme for the Adoption of the Acquis, and has made considerable progress through reform packages, including constitutional amendments and legislative reform. These have abolished the state security courts and amended regulations in order to permit, at least in theory, broadcasting in traditionally used languages and non-Muslim foundations to register properties. Further, Article 90 of the Constitution now states that international law shall take priority over national law when there is inconsistency between them. The protection of minority rights still falls short, however, of European standards. Much remains to be done, from the very basic acceptance and recognition of minorities, through the basic right of certain minorities to live in and return to their homes, to the implementation of both the letter and the spirit of the new laws that purport to allow the practice of language and religion. This report, while not comprehensive, will examine the key issues, including the recognition of minorities, and the current ability of all ethnic, religious and linguistic groups to live freely. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

25.02.2004 - Source: US Department of State

Human rights related reforms passed to meet requirements for EU membership ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2003") [#19741],  [ID 13176]

"In January and July, Parliament passed extensive human rights-related reforms intended to meet the Government's democratization goals and requirements for European Union (EU) membership. The reforms applied to areas such as torture, religious freedom, free expression, the role of the military in government, and freedom of association and included: prohibiting courts from suspending sentences or converting prison sentences to fines in torture cases; prohibiting trials in torture cases from recessing for the summer; providing all detainees the right to immediate attorney access; permitting private media outlets to broadcast in Kurdish and other traditional non-Turkish languages; and allowing for a civilian to serve as head of the National Security Council. However, many of the reforms were not implemented by year's end, and some reforms adopted in 2002 were still not implemented."

Document(s): Open document

07.11.2003 - Source: International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

Torture and inhuman or degrading treatment (reform in connection with EU accession; "harmonization packages"; F-type prisons) ("Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment") [#17377],  [ID 13177]

"Turkey has been party to CAT since 1 September 1988 and it ratified the CPT on 26 February 1988.

In the past two years, Turkish authorities have been engaged in a major reform in order to bring national legislation up to par with the standards of the European Union. This reform has brought about a number of positive formal changes in the field of human rights, including issues related to the prevention of torture and ill-treatment. The challenge remains, however, to effectively implement these changes in practice. Pending this, torture and ill-treatment in Turkish detention facilities remains a serious problem.

The first and the second “harmonization packages” of February and March 2002 reduced legitimate detention periods. However, for suspects under State Security Court jurisdiction, charged with crimes of a collective, political, or conspiratorial nature, the maximum initial detention period still remained four days at the prosecutor’s discretion. Moreover, it took Turkish legislators until June 2003 to abolish a Criminal Procedure Code provision that denied detainees, held for offences under the jurisdiction of State Security Courts, the right to legal counsel for the first forty-eight hours of their detention. While this was welcomed progress, the time frame of 48 hours is still too long to protect detainees from torture.

In April 2003, the Human Rights Association of Turkey (HRA) stated in its report covering the first three months of the year that it had observed no progress in the prevention of torture. In this period, 183 cases of torture during detention had been reported, and another 33 cases in prisons. The total number of cases of torture or ill-treatment by the police or gendarmerie reported to the HRA (including abuses during house searches, in the streets, etc.) reached 392. [...]

The January 2003 “harmonization package” included provisions preventing Turkish courts from suspending the prison sentences of those convicted of inflicting torture. The parliament also approved measures stipulating that these prison sentences could no longer be commuted to fines. The amendments incorporated measures obliging the judiciary to hear the statements of defendants and detainees before they reach a verdict on the case before them, as well as provisions detailing that, upon entering and leaving prison, defendants and detainees should be subject to medical examinations about which reports must then be written.

Despite the formal measures taken to prevent torture and ill-treatment, the climate of impunity remains. Prosecutors are reluctant to file charges against alleged torturers, and many torturers who “have not been found” are able to continue their police careers. The burden of proof lies on the victims, and the slow pace of judicial proceedings easily ends up in unresolved cases due to the statute of limitations. [...]

As regards the F-type prisons, where concerns have been raised about possible small group isolation, the Istanbul Branch of the human rights organization Mazlum-Der reported that in May-June 2003 there had been problems with communication with the relatives “due to security problems.” In addition, prisoners were only allowed to exercise sports in groups of no less than ten persons while, according to the rules, this should have been possible in groups of six persons. Further, visits were limited to one hour and 15 minutes per week and they were recorded by cameras. Telephone calls were restricted to ten minutes once a week and only with one person. Hot water was available only three days a week."

Document(s): Open document

06.11.2003 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

Political situation; human rights; judicial system ("Asylsuchende aus der Türkei - Position der SFH") [#17802],  [ID 13178]

"[...] Die politische Situation

Die regierende Partei für Entwicklung und Gerechtigkeit (AKP) hat während ihres zweijährigen Bestehens für die Türkei eine einmalige Leistung vollbracht: Nur 15 Monate nach ihrer Gründung konnte sie im November 2002 einen überwältigenden Wahlsieg erreichen und allein die Regierung bilden. Heute verfügt sie über eine Zweidrittel-Mehrheit, welche es ihr ermöglicht, die Verfassung zu ändern. Während jüngst der Irak-Krieg und Enthüllungen über die "tiefe Regierung" (Einfluss des Generalsekretariats des Nationalen Sicherheitsrats) die Türkei beschäftigten, stellt die Umsetzung der mit grossen Hoffnungen eingeleiteten Reformen eines der grössten innenpolitischen Probleme dar.

Der Druck der EU auf die Türkei, die politischen und menschenrechtlichen Beitrittskriterien zu erfüllen, zeigt seit 2002 langsam Wirkung: Zwischen Februar 2002 und Juli 2003 haben die alte sowie die neue Regierung sieben Reformpakete verabschiedet, welche folgende Bereiche betreffen: Meinungsfreiheit, Haftstrafen, Unversehrtheit der Privatsphäre (1. Reformpaket); das Vereinsrecht, Versammlungs- und Demonstrationsfreiheit, Täterhaftung bei Folter, Schliessung von Parteien, "verbotene Sprache" im Presserecht (2. Reformpaket); Todesstrafe, Erwerb von Immobilien durch nichtmuslimische Minderheiten, Rundfunk- und Fernsehsendungen in kurdischer Sprache (3. Reformpaket); Änderungen im Parteienrecht und Justizregisterrecht, Strafen von Folterern (4. Reformpaket); Wiederaufnahme von Gerichtsverfahren (5. Reformpaket); Antiterrorgesetz, Strafprozessrecht, Sendungen von Privatsendern in kurdischer Sprache (6. Reformpaket) sowie den Nationalen Sicherheitsrat, Militärgerichte und die Vermeidung von Verfahrensverschleppung oder -verjährung bei Folterverfahren, Restriktionen bei Vereins- und Stiftungsgründung sowie das Versammlungs- und Demonstrationsrecht (7. Reformpaket).

[...] Menschenrechte und Justizsystem

Den beschlossenen politischen Reformen stehen aber in der Praxis weiterhin Verstösse gegen die Menschenrechte und Religionsfreiheit sowie die mit dem Demokratieverständnis der EU nicht vereinbare starke Rolle des Militärs gegenüber. Die Menschenrechtssituation hat sich nach Berichten zahlreicher Menschenrechtsexpert- Innen und -organisationen in den letzten Monaten sogar wieder verschlechtert. Aus EU-Sicht wird es deshalb keine Abstriche von den Kopenhagener Kriterien, also der EU-Forderung nach Verwirklichung von Demokratie, Menschenrechten und Rechtsstaatlichkeit, geben. Auch der für November 2003 erwartete neue EU-Zwischenbericht über die Fortschritte der Türkei bei der Erfüllung der politischen Bedingungen für die Aufnahme von Beitrittsgesprächen wird abermals zahlreiche Defizite benennen: Besonders kritisch ist, dass in der Türkei noch immer gefoltert wird. Folter, Schläge, Todesdrohungen, sexuelle Gewalt, Elektroschocks und andere Misshandlungen wurden weiterhin in Polizei- oder Gendarmerie-Stationen und auch von Dorfschützern angewendet. Reflexverfolgung ist weiterhin an der Tagesordnung. Weiterhin kommt es zu Einschränkungen der Meinungsfreiheit, Medien- und Pressefreiheit, der Rechte von Minderheiten. Gewalt gegenüber Frauen stellt in der türkischen Gesellschaft nach wie vor ein grosses Problem dar.

Auch bei der Übernahme der Rechtsprechung des Europäischen Gerichtshofs für Menschenrechte in das türkische Recht hapert es. Ferner klaffen Verfassungstext und Verfassungswirklichkeit auseinander. Gerichte und Verwaltungen legen die Reformgesetze bewusst eng aus. In vielen Fällen kann man von Obstruktion sprechen, wie zum Beispiel Verwaltungsvorwände, um Schulunterricht und Rundfunksendungen in kurdischer Sprache zu verhindern."

Document(s): Open document

30.09.2003 - Source: International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

Developments in the harmonization process in order to accede to the EU reportedly still fall short of EU requirements ("Interventions and Recommendations by the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) on the Occasion of the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting Warsaw, 6-17 October 2003") [#16408],  [ID 13179]

"Developments in the harmonization process in order to accede to the European Union still fall short of EU requirements, according to EU Enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen in March 2003. Since then, on 19 June, an important formal step in combating torture was taken, when the government abolished a criminal procedure code provision that denied detainees held for offences under the jurisdiction of State Security Courts the right to legal counsel for the first forty-eight hours of their detention. While this progress is important, the decision needs to be implemented in practice."

Document(s): Open document

30.09.2003 - Source: International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

Legal reforms in connection with EU accession formally improved situation of minorities ("Interventions and Recommendations by the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) on the Occasion of the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting Warsaw, 6-17 October 2003") [#16408],  [ID 13180]

"In Turkey, legal reforms introduced since 2002 in order to bring national legislation in line with the EU Copenhagen criteria have formally included improvements also for minorities. However, while many restrictions on the use of minority languages in different sectors of life have been relaxed, little has been implemented in practice and new regulations have been adopted which, again, restrict free use of, for example, the Kurdish language.

The August 2002 reform package lifted some restrictions on broadcasting and education in minority languages, but regulations enacted by parliament to implement these reforms reduced the width implicitly attributed to the changes. Moreover, the Law on the Establishment and Broadcasting of Radio Stations and Television Channels was amended in 2002 to allow broadcasting in the “different languages and dialects used traditionally by Turkish citizens” if the programs do not “contradict the fundamental principles of the Turkish Republic enshrined in the Constitution and the indivisible integrity of the state with its territory and nation” or “encourage the use of violence or incite feelings of racial hatred.” However, these limitations can still be interpreted in a highly restrictive manner, and the December regulations drafted by the highest broadcasting authority RTÜK limits the broadcasting to state channels and only for a few hours a week, requires mandatory complete translation of all programs into Turkish, and restricts the nature of programs. Hence, in practice, Kurdish language broadcasting was still on hold as of the summer of 2003.

On the basis of the August 2002 reforms, instruction of languages “used by Turkish citizens in their daily lives” was formally allowed in private educational institutions if such courses, again, do not threaten “national integrity.” However, regulations adopted in December to implement this reform exemplified a marked retreat from the original amendment, restricting the minority language instruction to weekends or holidays for students between twelve and eighteen years of age who have completed primary education. Moreover, minority language instruction can only be given in private schools and not as part of the public educational system. It cannot constitute the language of instruction -- even in private schools."

Document(s): Open document

01.07.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

"Hausaufgaben" erledigt? (Autor: Gunnar Köhne) (""Hausaufgaben" erledigt? (Autor: Gunnar Köhne)") [#14351],  [ID 13181]

Document(s): Open document

21.06.2003 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

Basic principles for EU accession after the decision at the EU summit in Copenhagen ("Zur aktuellen Situation - Juni 2003 ") [#14557],  [ID 13182]

"Nach dem Beschluss der Kopenhagener-Gipfelkonferenz des Europäischen Rats vom Juni 1993, kann ein assoziiertes Land der EU beitreten, wenn es dafür die wirtschaftlichen, die sozialen und vor allem die politischen Kriterien erfüllt, welche sich auf die folgenden drei Pfeiler abstützen:

I. institutionelle Stabilität als Garantie für eine demokratische und rechtsstaatliche Ordnung, für die Wahrung der Menschenrechte sowie die Achtung und den Schutz von Minderheiten,

II. eine funktionsfähige Marktwirtschaft sowie die Fähigkeit, dem Wettbewerbsdruck und den Marktkräften innerhalb der Union standzuhalten sowie

III. die Übernahme des 'Acquis Communautaire', d.h. (1) den Inhalt, die Prinzipien und die politischen Ziele der Verträge (einschliesslich der Verträge von Maast-richt, Amsterdam und Nizza), (2) die Gesetzgebung auf der Basis der Verträge und die Rechtsprechung des Europäischen Menschenrechtsgerichtshofs, (3) die angenommenen Stellungnahmen und Resolutionen innerhalb des EU-Rahmens, (4) die Positionen, Erklärungen und Entscheidungen im Rahmen der gemeinsa-men Aussen- und Sicherheitspolitik, (5) die Positionen, Entscheidungen und an-genommenen Konventionen im Rahmen der gemeinsamen Justiz- und Innenpoli-tik, (6) die internationalen Abkommen der EU und die Vereinbarungen zwischen den Mitgliederstaaten, die bezüglich der EU-Aktivitäten geschlossen worden sind.

Am 9. Oktober 2002 wurde einmal mehr klar, dass die Türkei nicht auf der "Prioritätenliste" der EU steht. So wurde ihr trotz der relativ umfassenden Gesetzesreformen im Hinblick auf einen EU-Beitritt einmal mehr ein Datum für den Beginn der Beitrittsverhandlungen versagt. Wenn die politischen und wirtschaftlichen Reformen in der gewünschten Weise verwirklicht und die verschiedenen Gesetzesänderung auch in die Praxis umgesetzt werden, kann die Türkei Ende 2004 mit der Aufnahme von Beitrittsgesprächen rechnen. Voraussetzung dafür ist die Erfüllung der politischen Kriterien von Kopenhagen. Dies ist für die Regierung Erdo-gan eine wichtige Herausforderung, hat sie doch ihre ganze Strategie auf den EU-Beitritt ausgerichtet. Für einen definitiven Beitritt der Türkei zur EU hat der ehemalige Wirtschafts-sonderminister Dervish einmal 10-15 Jahre als zu erwartende Zeitspanne erwähnt. Diese Frist dürfte im Hinblick auf die grossen, an die Türkei gesetzten Herausforderungen und die bestimmt nicht sehr einfache Integration der zehn neuen EU-Mitglieder nicht unrealistisch sein."

Document(s): Open document

31.03.2003 - Source: US Department of State

Human rights related reforms passed by Parliament in 2002 ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2002") [#11861],  [ID 13183]

"In February, March, and August, Parliament passed extensive human rights-related reforms intended to meet requirements for European Union (EU) membership. The reforms applied to areas such as free speech, pretrial detention, use of non-Turkish languages, trafficking in persons, and the rights of religious groups, among others. Under the reforms: The death penalty was abolished in peacetime; speech intended to criticize, but not insult, the state was no longer illegal; human trafficking was specifically listed as a crime; some non-Muslim religious foundations were granted the right in principle to own property; private classes and broadcasts in Kurdish and other traditional languages were permitted in principle, under tight restrictions; and rulings of the European Court of Human Rights were grounds for a retrial in a Turkish court. At year's end, Parliament was reviewing two new packages of additional reforms."

Document(s): Open document

14.01.2003 - Source: Human Rights Watch

According to HRW, further progress in protecting freedom of expression, combating torture, and reducing the influence of the military is needed ("World report 2003") [#10302],  [ID 13184]

"The process of Turkey's accession to the E.U. remained the most important catalyst of reform in Turkey. The E.U.'s progress report for 2001 had made it clear that Turkey was lagging behind in its efforts to meet the E.U. accession conditions of "democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities." Civil society bodies ranging from human rights organizations to the employers' federation, TUSIAD, as well as President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, put considerable pressure on the government to produce results. Parliament finally enacted the February and August legislation in order to maintain the credibility of its candidacy for E.U. membership. The E.U. Presidency gave a warm welcome to the August abolition of the death penalty and language reforms, but on an appropriate note of skepticism, added that Turkey should implement the changes as soon as possible in order to demonstrate the genuine character of the reforms. The October regular report on Turkey's progress toward accession pointed to the need for further progress in protecting freedom of expression, combating torture, and reducing the influence of the military."

Document(s): Open document