The action “Strengthening the human rights protection in the context of migration in Türkiye” aims at supporting the authorities of Türkiye in enhancing detention conditions and ensuring that appropriate procedural safeguards are in place in line with European and international standards in the context of migration. Special attention will be given to strengthening guarantees for the identification, protection and referral of persons in vulnerable situations, especially children. The action will aim at fostering multi-disciplinary co-operation and strengthening the capacities of relevant authorities and other professionals in the field.

This action is implemented within the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of EuropeHorizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, running from 2023 until 2025.

What is the goal and objective of the action?

 to ensure detention conditions and procedural safeguards in the context of migration are in line with European and international standards
 to improve procedures and inter-agency mechanisms for the protection of persons in a vulnerable situation, especially unaccompanied children

Who benefits from the programme?

 Union of Turkish Bar Associations
 Bar associations and legal aid bureaus
 University law faculties and law students
 Civil society organisations active in promoting women's rights and gender equality
 Municipalities
 Women in Türkiye, particularly those in a vulnerable and disadvantaged situation facing difficulties in accessing justice, legal aid, legal assistance and information

Programme Info

Budget: 800 000 EUR

The budget allocated to the overall Horizontal Facility programme amounts to ca. 41 million EUR (85% funded by the European Union, 15% by the Council of Europe).

How does the action work?

 through capacity building (with a focus on the MoFSS, PMM, NHREIT, the Ombudspersons' Office, law enforcement agencies, and UTBA)
 through development of tools (e.g. context specific HELP courses, and new HELP courses currently being developed by the Council of Europe)

 through awareness raising (lawyers, CSOs, university students)

 through co-ordination meetings involving also the CSOs: on assessment of needs and challenges in practice as well as policy level consultations

 through small grants for CSOs including the Bar Associations

What do we expect to achieve?

 Protection of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees’ rights in Türkiye is advanced in line with European standards.

About Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye

The “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” is a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe that enables the Western Balkans Beneficiaries and Türkiye to meet their reform agendas in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy and to comply with the European standards, which is also a priority for the EU enlargement process.