"The police's handling of demonstrations in Turkey exposes once again the long-standing, serious human rights problem of the misconduct of law enforcement officials in the country. It is time for the Turkish police to improve their record of compliance with human rights standards", said today Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, releasing a report on his visit to Turkey, carried out from 1 to 5 July 2013.
Although Turkey has made important progress in the fight against torture and ill-treatment, the Gezi events in May-June 2013 drew the focus of attention to the Turkish police's systemic problem of insufficient respect for binding human rights standards, an issue that has been repeatedly condemned by international bodies, in particular by the European Court of Human Rights in the past decade. "There are serious, consistent and credible allegations of excessive use of force, in particular excessive and improper use of tear gas and ill-treatment during and after apprehensions. These raise very serious concerns, requiring a determined response from the Turkish authorities, such as clearer rules about the proportionate use of force by law enforcement officials in the context of demonstrations. Safeguards against ill-treatment should be strengthened and the right to free assembly better upheld." The Commissioner underlined that this would also require a review of the current legal framework concerning demonstrations, which he considered too restrictive in a democratic society.
In addition, the Commissioner is also deeply concerned about measures taken against a wide range of people and groups in connection with their non-violent actions during the Gezi events. (Read more...)
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Turkey and the Council of Europe
