Turkey is a founding member of the Council of Europe since 1950 and a party to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) since 1954.

Turkish legislation pertaining to democracy, human rights and the rule of law is firmly aligned with the norms and standards of the Council of Europe and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

Upholding the rule of law as well as the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms has always been on the top of Turkey’s political agenda. Turkey remains committed to all international human rights mechanisms.

Even during the ongoing 90-day “state of emergency” in Turkey, which had to be declared in the wake of the failed coup attempt on 15 July 2016, judicial remedies against “emergency measures” remain available, including the right of individual application to the Constitutional Court of Turkey as well as to the European Court of Human Rights.

The purpose of the declaration of the “state of emergency” is neither to restrict fundamental rights and freedoms of our citizens, nor to compromise democracy or the rule of law. It serves to act in the most speedy and effective manner in the fight against the coup-plotter FETÖ terrorist organization, and return to normalcy in Turkey as soon as possible.