CAT/OP/TUR/1
I. Introduction
1.
From 6 to 9 October 2015, in accordance with its mandate, set forth in the Optional
Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment, the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel,
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment undertook its first visit to Turkey.
2.
The Subcommittee was represented by Mari Amos (head of the delegation), HansJörg Bannwart, Aisha Shujune Muhammad and June Caridad Pagaduan Lopez.
3.
The Subcommittee was also assisted by two human rights officers from the Office of
the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
4.
The objective of the visit was to provide advisory services and technical assistance
to the national mechanism for the prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment in Turkey, in accordance with article 11 (b) (ii) and (iii)
of the Optional Protocol. The visit was intended to assist in strengthening the capacity and
mandate of the national preventive mechanism. The visit was also aimed at assisting the
mechanism in an evaluation of the needs and the means necessary to strengthen the
protection of persons deprived of their liberty from torture and other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment in Turkey.
5.
During its visit, the Subcommittee met with officials from the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Family and Social Policies, the Ministry of
Interior, the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of
European Union Affairs. The Subcommittee also met with the human rights institution of
Turkey (designated as the national preventive mechanism of Turkey), the ombudsman
institution of Turkey, the Deputy Prime Minister and parliamentarians, as well as with civil
society (see annex II).
6.
One of the primary purposes of the visit was to provide the mechanism with
advisory services and technical assistance. Thus, a number of meetings were held with the
mechanism members in order to discuss the functioning and working methods of the
mechanism, as well as to explore ways to strengthen and increase its effectiveness, as
explained below. To observe how the mechanism applied its working methodology, the
Subcommittee also visited, together with the mechanism, two places of deprivation of
liberty that were chosen by the mechanism (see annex I). During those joint visits,
Subcommittee members adopted the role of observers, while members of the mechanism
led the visits.
7.
The Subcommittee appreciates the cooperation extended by the authorities of
Turkey in facilitating the visit, in compliance with the State party’s obligations under the
Optional Protocol. The Subcommittee is also grateful for the assistance extended in
arranging the necessary meetings so that the Subcommittee could better understand the
legal, structural and institutional framework of the national preventive mechanism.
8.
To that end, the present report sets out recommendations and observations to the
State party, in accordance with article 11 (b) (iv) of the Optional Protocol.
9.
The Subcommittee requests that the State party reply within six months of the
date of transmission of the present report, giving an account of the actions taken and a
road map for full implementation of its recommendations.
10.
The present report will remain confidential until such time as the State party decides
to make it public.
11.
The Subcommittee therefore recommends that the State party request for this
report to be published, as other States parties to the OPCAT have done. The
Subcommittee further requests that it be notified of the State party’s decision in this
regard.
12.
The Subcommittee wishes to draw the State party’s attention to the Special Fund
established in accordance with article 26 of the Optional Protocol. Recommendations
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