The Council of Europe has organised a conference to launch the action “Supporting the Implementation and Reporting on the Action Plan on Human Rights in Turkey.” The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, together with Abdülhamit Gül, Minister of Justice of Turkey, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Christian Berger, Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union in Turkey opened the conference. Official meetings with high level Turkish officials will follow after the launching event.
The action will contribute to the national efforts for better implementation and reporting of the Human Rights Action Plan in Turkey focusing on three areas: right to liberty and security, right to a fair trial and freedom of expression. The Council of Europe continues to support Turkey in its efforts to effectively implement human rights at national level and bring justice in line with the standards of the European Court of Human Rights. The Action Plan on Human Rights in Turkey is another important tool to monitor progress made and address outstanding shortcomings through legislative amendments and judicial practice.
Senior government officials, representatives of high courts in Turkey, representatives of civil society, media organisations, lawyers, academics and representatives of the Council of Europe met at the conference to discuss the results to be achieved under this action plan and its contribution to current reforms in Turkey. Christos Giakoumopoulos, Council of Europe Director General for Human Rights and Rule of Law did also join the Secretary General’s delegation.
The action, which will have a duration of 18 months and a total cost of €1,2 million, will be implemented by the Council of Europe together with the Ministry of Justice of Turkey in the framework of the joint European Union/Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility II” programme.
Website: www.coe.int/nationalimplementation
