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Torture in Turkey : The Current Status of Torture and Ill-treatment

Turkey has signed numerous treaties agreeing not to subject its population to torture or ill-treatment and to actively prevent it occurring. The Constitution of Turkey forbids it. Yet despite these commitments the practice of torture and ill-treatment persists.

Whilst the legal reforms of the last few years have been positive, torture in Turkey remains serious and systematic. Potentially retrogressive steps in Turkey's reform process require immediate attention, and further effort is needed to bring about widespread and effective change on the ground. ‘Zero tolerance' must correspond to 100 per cent accountability, and if Turkey is serious about ending torture, it must ensure that potential victims are protected and perpetrators are answerable to the courts.

Available for free by contacting khrp@khrp.org or by downloading below

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Turkey on Trial: The Prosecutions of Orhan Pamuk & Other Writers – Trial Observation Report

The Turkish government continues to deny the extent of the human rights violations and genocide committed against Kurds and Armenians in Turkey during the twentieth century. The renowned Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk referred to this in a media interview in Switzerland in February 2005. His comments attracted the attention of a Turkish prosecutor, who brought an indictment against Pamuk for ‘publicly insulting Turkish national identity’ under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code. The prosecution became a flashpoint of concern over Turkey’s protection of freedom of expression, and a litmus test for its suitability for accession to the EU.


KHRP and the BHRC sent a mission to observe his trial and to interview others facing similar charges. Charges against Pamuk were subsequently dropped, but the question remains: why was the prosecution originally brought? And what will happen/ has happened to other lesser-known writers, editors, publishers and journalists facing similar prosecutions in Turkey?

ISBN 1900175967


Available for £10.00 by contacting khrp@khrp.org or by downloading below

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Turkey's Accession to the EU: Democracy, Human Rights and the Kurds

This publication, presented at the 2nd annual EUTCC conference on Turkey , the Kurds and the EU in September 2005, discusses the background to Turkey 's accession to the EU. It evaluates the likely impact of EU membership on the democratisation process within Turkey and its likely benefits for human rights and fundamental freedoms and for Turkey 's Kurdish population. The publication goes on to assess the reforms that have been enacted thus far as part of the accession process, particularly the amendments that have been made to the Turkish Penal Code. Whilst acknowledging that great strides have been made, it ultimately concludes that a lot of work remains to be done on the part of the Turkish administration if the accession process is to fulfil the promise that it has engendered.

ISBN 19001750991

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Voluntary Application Form

Voluntary Application Form and Equal Opportunities Policy

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