In the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) session of the United Nations (UN), various countries called for Turkey to respect freedom of expression. The prominent opinion in the session was that human rights violations worsened in Turkey in recent years; advice was given to Turkey on press freedom, freedom of expression, bans against LGBTI and women’s demonstrations as well as academic freedom. Turkey’s defense was “having made significant studies on the field of human rights.”
As a reply to the criticisms, the Turkish delegation stated, “the application of zero-tolerance against torture continues, everyone in Turkey has a right to meeting and demonstration without restriction and there are ongoing investigations against the mayors, who were replaced with trustees.” The delegation further claimed that the freedom of meeting and organisation are protected by the Turkish Constitution and that restrictions are compliant with European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) standards.
Turkey refused to admit systematic bans against LGBTI+ demonstrations and marches. Despite the bans in many provinces, especially the indefinite protest ban in Ankara that exceeds two years, the delegation claimed that “there is no systematic ban.” Deputy Foreign Minister replied to the question on why the Saturday Mothers’ protests were banned, saying that it’s because “they disturbed the tourists.”
29.01.2020
bianet.org / gazetekarinca.com