09.10.2008 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

Report on recent developments in Turkey (political developments, security situation, human rights situation) ("Update: Aktuelle Entwicklungen") [ID 25067]

For details on the human rights situation see chapter 5, p.8-25

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11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Human Rights Practices 2007 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22795]

"The government generally respected the human rights of its citizens; however, serious problems remained in several areas. During the year human rights organizations documented a rise in cases of torture, beating, and abuse by security forces. Security forces committed unlawful killings; the number of arrests and prosecutions in these cases was low compared with the number of incidents, and convictions remained rare. Prison conditions remained poor, with problems of overcrowding and insufficient staff training. Law enforcement officials did not always provide detainees immediate access to attorneys as required by law. Some government and military officers at times undermined the judiciary's independence, and the overly close relationship of judges and prosecutors continued to hinder the right to a fair trial. Excessively long trials were a problem. The government limited freedom of expression through the use of constitutional restrictions and numerous laws, including articles of the penal code prohibiting insults to the government, the state, "Turkishness," or the institution and symbols of the republic. Limitations on freedom of expression expanded to the Internet, as Turkish courts on several occasions ordered telecommunications providers to block access to Web sites. Non-Muslim religious groups continued to face restrictions on practicing their religion openly, owning property, and training leaders. Violence against women, including honor killings and rape, continued to be a widespread problem. Child marriage was a problem. Police corruption contributed to trafficking in women and children to, from, and within the country for sexual exploitation."

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31.01.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Events of 2007 ("World Report 2008") [ID 23465]

"Recent trends in human rights protection in Turkey have been retrograde. 2007 saw an intensification of speech-related prosecutions and convictions, controversial rulings by the judiciary in defiance of international human rights law, harassment of pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) officials and deputies, and a rise in reports of police brutality. The state authorities’ intolerance of difference or dissenting opinion has created an environment in which there have been instances of violence against minority groups. In January 2007 Turkish-Armenian journalist and human rights defender Hrant Dink was murdered. Armed clashes between the military and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) rose in the lead-up to elections in July and intensified yet further in the second half of the year, with heavy loss of life; some attacks—such as a suspected PKK bombing in Ankara in May—have targeted civilians.
Recent trends in human rights protection in Turkey have been retrograde. 2007 saw an intensification of speech-related prosecutions and convictions, controversial rulings by the judiciary in defiance of international human rights law, harassment of pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) officials and deputies, and a rise in reports of police brutality. The state authorities’ intolerance of difference or dissenting opinion has created an environment in which there have been instances of violence against minority groups. In January 2007 Turkish-Armenian journalist and human rights defender Hrant Dink was murdered. Armed clashes between the military and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) rose in the lead-up to elections in July and intensified yet further in the second half of the year, with heavy loss of life; some attacks—such as a suspected PKK bombing in Ankara in May—have targeted civilians.  
 
Prior to the general election, the Turkish military intervened directly in the political arena by voicing opposition to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government and by decisively influencing a constitutional court decision to block the presidential candidacy of the AKP’s Abdullah Gül. The AKP nevertheless won 47 percent of the vote in the early general election precipitated by the presidential crisis, and subsequently secured the election of Abdullah Gül as president. The AKP government embarked on plans for a new constitution to replace that put in place under the military regime in 1982. "

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31.01.2008 - Source: Human Rights Watch

European Court of Human Rights issued 242 judgments against Turkey in 2007 ("World Report 2008") [ID 23474]

"The European Union (EU) remained the most important international actor in fostering respect for human rights in Turkey. However, the December 2006 EU summit decision to partially freeze membership negotiations because of Turkey’s relations with Cyprus contributed to the perception in Turkey that EU member states were reneging on their commitment to Turkey’s candidacy. After the election in France of President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007, who has repeatedly stated his opposition to Turkey joining the EU, in June France used its veto power to block two minor chapters of the accession negotiations. In its annual progress report, published in November, the European Commission commented on the failure to advance reforms in 2007, continuing restrictions on free speech, the interference of the military in political affairs, the need to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, and the failure to further minority rights.  
 
As of this writing, the European Court of Human Rights has issued 242 judgments against Turkey in 2007 for torture, unfair trial, extrajudicial execution, and other violations. In an October judgment that may have implications for the draft constitution, the court found that the failure to grant an Alevi schoolgirl exemption from constitutionally enshrined compulsory religious education classes focused on Sunni Islam constituted a violation of the right to education (Hasan and Eylem Zengin v. Turkey). In a controversial decision in January the court ruled that the existence of the 10 percent electoral threshold, which has been argued to deprive in particular pro-Kurdish parties of political representation in parliament, did not violate the right of the people to freely express their opinion of the choice of the legislature (article 3 of protocol 1 of the convention). Two judges dissented, pointing to the fact that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe had in 2004 urged Turkey to lower the threshold, and that the threshold was twice as high as the European average (see Yumuk and Sadak v. Turkey). In November the case was heard by the Grand Chamber of the European Court and judgment is awaited.  
 "

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06.11.2007 - Source: European Commission

Ratification of human rights instruments ("Turkey 2007 Progress Report [SEC(2007) 1436]") [ID 22348]

"As regards ratification of human rights instruments, in October 2006 Turkey ratified Protocol No 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) amending the control system of the Convention. The First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), signed in 2004, was ratified in November 2006 and entered into force in February 2007. This Protocol recognises the competence of the UN Human Rights Committee to receive and consider complaints from individuals on violations of human rights. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed in March 2007, following its adoption by the UN General Assembly in December 2006. However, the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT), signed in September 2005, has not been ratified. Turkey has not ratified three additional Protocols to the ECHR.

During the reporting period, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has delivered a total of 330 judgements finding that Turkey had violated at least one article of the ECHR. The total number of new applications to the ECtHR from 1 September 2006 to 31 August 2007 is higher than the same period last year. More than two thirds of these new applications refer to the right to a fair trial and the protection of property rights. The right to life and the prohibition of torture are referred to in a number of cases.

[...]

Overall, Turkey has made progress on the ratification of international human rights instruments and on the execution of ECtHR judgements. However, the OPCAT remains to be ratified, and further efforts are needed for Turkey to comply fully with its obligations under the ECHR."

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08.11.2006 - Source: European Commission

Ratification of international human rights law ("Turkey 2006 Progress Report") [ID 19015]

"Concerning the ratification of human rights instruments, the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on the abolishment of the death penalty was ratified in March 2006. Protocol No 13 of the ECHR, on the abolishment of the death penalty at all times was ratified in February 2006. Protocol No 14 of the ECHR, amending the control system of the Convention entered into force in May 2006. The UN Convention against corruption entered into force in June 2006.

Turkey ratified the revised European Social Charter on 27 September 2006. The European Social Charter was accepted with reservations on article 5(right to organise) and article 6(right to bargain collectively) as well as on paragraph 3 of article 2 (minimum annual holidays) and paragraph 1 of article 4 (remuneration and decent standard of living). Turkey has lifted previous reservations on the European Social Charter's provisions, namely the right of children and young persons to protection and the right of disabled persons.

Four Additional Protocols to the ECHR remain to be ratified, including Protocol No 12 on the general prohibition of discrimination by public authorities, signed in 2001. The First Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, signed in 2004, and the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT), signed in September 2005, also awaits ratification. Ratification of these protocols is a priority in the Accession Partnership.

[...] Overall, Turkey has made progress on the ratification of international human rights instruments and in the execution of ECtHR judgements. However, there is a need to further upgrade the human rights institutional framework."

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15.07.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Tunceli: Lawyer and human rights defender reportedly received series of threats from Commander of Gendarmerie Forces ("Turkey - Further Information on UA 36/05") [#34323],  [ID 13419]

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23.03.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

There are concerns that the new Penal Code which is due to come into effect on 1 April contains numerous restrictions on fundamental rights, especially the right to freedom of expression ("Concerns about new Penal Code should be addressed") [#30535],  [ID 13420]

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09.10.2004 - Source: Presse

Human rights violations despite reforms/ 62 Turkish refugees have therefore been granted asylum status in Austria so far this year ("Menschenrechte: Türkei noch nicht sicher") [#26334],  [ID 13421]

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06.10.2004 - Source: European Commission

Reforms related to human rights ("Regular Report 2004 on Turkey´s progress towards accession") [#26161],  [ID 13422]

"Since 1999 Turkey adopted two constitutional reforms and eight legislative reform packages. The most recent May 2004 constitutional reform addresses a number of issues related to human rights. These include: eradicating all remaining death penalty provisions; strengthening gender equality; broadening freedom of the press; aligning the judiciary with European standards; and establishing the supremacy of international agreements in the area of fundamental freedoms over internal legislation. In September 2004 Turkey adopted a new Penal Code, which will have positive effects on a number of areas related to human rights, particularly women’s rights, discrimination and torture. Furthermore, a new Press Law was adopted in June 2004 and in July 2004 a new Law on Associations and a Law on Compensation of Losses Resulting from Terrorist Acts were adopted. A number of regulations and circulars have also been issued by the authorities in order to enable the implementation of legislation."

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06.11.2003 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

Groups at risk (e.g. members of opposition parties, human rights activists, certain groups of women); inadequate implementation of political reforms (German) ("Asylsuchende aus der Türkei - Position der SFH") [#17802],  [ID 13423]

"4.1 Die politische Situation [...]

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).

4.2 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."

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08.05.2003 - Source: International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

Report focused on political and human rights situation (detainees’ rights, torture, ill-treatment and police misconduct, conditions in prisons and detention facilities) ("Human Rights in the OSCE Region: Turkey") [#13354],  [ID 13424]

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