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Turkey Tribunal’s publishes third report concluding impunity in Turkey has become the norm

• Turkey Tribunal in collaboration with International Observatory of Human Rights published third report: Impunity in Turkey Today part of a series of reports on the state of human rights in Turkey
• The report on impunity addresses the persisting problem of impunity in Turkey in respect of serious human rights violations committed by state officials

A third report titled Impunity in Turkey Today has been published by the Turkey Tribunal in collaboration with International Observatory of Human Rights providing clear evidence and a chilling reminder of the organised, institutionalised and entrenched impunity problem in Turkey.

The report identified key factors that have caused this problem to become the norm in turkey today, these factors include:

• Gaps in the legal structure
• Political rhetoric reinforcing patterns of impunity
• Lack of political will to hold state officials/agents accountable
• Ineffective and delayed investigations by prosecutors; and finally
• Complicit judiciary

Prof. Dr Johan Vande Lanotte Senior Legal Council at Van Steenbrugge Advocates and member of the Turkey Tribunal steering committee said:

“Impunity in Turkey is not new. But after the 7 June 2015 parliamentary elections and the 15 July 2016 attempted coup the impunity in Turkey has virtually become the norm. State officials who commit human rights violations are legally nearly completely protected from prosecution. In the rare cases prosecutions are started, no convictions are imposed. In short, the report provides a chilling reminder of the organised, institutionalised and entrenched impunity problem in Turkey”.

The report urges the Turkish authorities to combat effectively the impunity of state officials for serious human rights violations by conducting adequate, effective and independent investigation and a fair trial on the basis of which perpetrators face justice, but whether that will become reality nonetheless remains very uncertain.

Valerie Peay Director of International Observatory of Human Rights said:
“Victims and witnesses from various backgrounds and professions in Turkey are coming forward and presenting us with detailed accounts of clear human rights violations at the hand of Turkish state officials, we have spoken to lawyers, human rights defenders and journalists who have been subjected to various types of torture that seem to go unanswered. We are committed to bringing these cases to the international communities in effort to have them addressed by the Turkish Government.”

The Turkey Tribunal was set up in early 2020 to establish a framework to review the current situation and the promises made by the Turkish government to improve their dire human rights record. Although not a legally binding body, the calibre of judges, witnesses and experts will give the tribunal authority through transparency to raise awareness among the international community and establish the benchmark for change.

The Turkey Tribunal will present six reports which will be brought before a physical tribunal when it convenes in late autumn in Geneva.

Turkey Tribunal Full Reports:
Turkey Tribunal report on Impunity in Turkey Today
Turkey Tribunal report on Abductions in Turkey Today
Turkey Tribunal’s report on Torture in Turkey Today

IOHR will also be organising a series of webinars to supplement the Tribunal and allow the victims, authors and participants to engage with audiences around the world.

The International Observatory of Human Rights has been a strong advocate for human rights reform in Turkey, In January of this year, IOHR partnered with The Press Emblem Campaign to host a discussion that coincided with the UN’s Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of Turkey, a panel that included journalists, civil society, academic experts, NGOs and those with government experience where invited to the Palais des Nations to discuss the unprecedented threat to human rights in Turkey

Turkey Tribunal Full Reports:
Turkey Tribunal report on Impunity in Turkey Today
Turkey Tribunal report on Abductions in Turkey Today
Turkey Tribunal’s report on Torture in Turkey Today

For media enquiries please contact:

Ash Naji
[email protected]

Head of Communications, IOHR