Stand van zaken hervormingen mensenrechten in Turkije (en)

Strasbourg, 19.11.2007 - The Project "Support for the Implementation of Human Rights Reforms in Turkey" is ending with an exhibition on the theme "Where are human rights?" which will be held on 21 November 2007 at the Dedeman Hotel in Ankara at 19.00. The closing ceremony will be hosted by Professor Hasan Tahsin Fendo?lu from the Human Rights Presidency, Roberto Lamponi from the Council of Europe and Michael Vögele from the European Commission.

The EU-funded project aimed to ensure a more effective protection of human rights of Turkish citizens and civil society as a whole, and was implemented by the Council of Europe in coordination with the Human Rights Presidency.

In the past 12 months, these institutions have worked closely with the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior and Human Rights Boards, focusing on the training of 450 judges and prosecutors, 180 inspectors of the Inspection Board of the Ministry of Justice, 2,250 Governors, Deputy Governors, Sub-Governors, police and Gendarmerie officers and 420 members of the Human Rights Boards on various human rights topics, including freedom of expression, right to life and prohibition of torture, fighting against terrorism while respecting human rights and freedom of assembly.

The exhibition "Where are human rights?" shows the posters selected from over 100entries to the National Poster Design Competition organised as part of a public relations campaign to raise public awareness of the human rights concepts and mandate of the Human Rights Presidency as well as of the 931 Human Rights Boards. At the opening of the exhibition, the winning posters will be awarded prizes. The selected posters then will be displayed in Izmir and Erzurum.

In addition, posters on various human rights topics have been designed and shown in public places, ten animated spots on subjects including the right to life, prohibition of torture, freedoms of expression and assembly, have been developed and broadcast in cinemas across the country, reaching an audience of 725,000 and drawing attention to the Human Rights Presidency's Helpline 150 - for people who want to complain about any alleged violation of their fundamental rights and freedoms.

For further information:

Radek Holub, Council of Europe Project Office

Tel: +90 312 405 4160 ; E-mail: radek.holub@coe.int

Banur Ozaydin, Delegation of the EC to Turkey

Tel: + 90 312 459 87 00 ; E-mail: banur.ozaydin@ec.europa.eu

Ahmet Uzak, Human Rights Presidency of Turkey

Tel: +90312430 72 84; E-mail: ahmetuzak63@yahoo.com

Council of Europe Press Division

Tel: +33 (0)3 88 41 25 60

Fax:+33 (0)3 88 41 39 11

pressunit@coe.int

www.coe.int/press