The Republic of Turkey, being party to international conventions, is obliged to protect fundamental rights and freedoms through its legislative, judicial and executive bodies. In cases where domestic law and international treaties contradict over issues on fundamental rights and freedoms, Article 90 of the Constitution acknowledges the jurisdiction of international treaties. Despite this legal context, and given the complete disregard for constitutional and treaty obligations, pressures against human rights institutions and defenders fighting against human rights violations, have gradually intensified in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under \u201cDeclaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms,\u201d <\/strong>also known as \u201c<\/strong>The United Nations Declaration on<\/strong> Human Rights Defenders,<\/strong>\u201d<\/strong> defending human rights is a right and states must protect human rights defenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a similar manner, according to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe\u2019s (OSCE) \u201cGuidelines on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders,\u201d<\/strong> \u201cdefending human rights [is] a universally recognized right\u201d which follows from the indivisible, interdependent and interrelated nature of universal human rights. Under these Guidelines, \u201cOSCE participating States have committed to respect, protect and fulfil these rights for everyone on their territory and subject to their jurisdiction.\u201d \u201cEnsuring Protection \u2013 European Union Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders\u201d <\/strong>also calls European Union member states to acknowledge that \u201chuman rights defenders are those individuals, groups and organs of society that promote and protect universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms,\u201d <\/em>as well as to protect, support and collaborate with human rights defenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite being a member of the United Nations and participating state of OSCE, Turkey does not comply with the recommendations and obligations set by these international entities\u2019 principal decisions, as it keeps the human rights space and human rights defenders under intense pressure, violating a series of rights guaranteed under international law and the Constitution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regrettably, already the debatable practice of \u201cstate of law\u201d in Turkey is rapidly losing its last hinges, whereas the rule of law is fading. Arbitrariness, intimidation and pressure campaigns have become commonplace. Many human rights defenders from Turkey, including prominent names from the movement, face legal harassments, investigations, imprisonment on baseless claims, threats and smear campaigns, while the crackdown remains in full force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We, the undersigned, emphasize once again that defending human rights is a universal right; thus, we strongly condemn the repression against human rights defenders and urge to end all forms of harassment. We declare that we will follow through our demand and have therefore founded \u0130nsan Haklar\u0131 Savunucular\u0131 Dayan\u0131\u015fma A\u011f\u0131<\/strong> (Solidarity Network for Human Rights Defenders \u2013 Turkey) with this goal in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Initiators <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Amnesty International, Association for Monitoring Equal Rights<\/strong>, Citizens\u2019 Assembly Turkey, Civic Space Studies Association<\/strong>, Civil Rights Defenders, Human Rights Association<\/strong>, Human Rights Agenda Association, Human Rights Foundation of Turkey<\/strong>, Kaos GL, Life Memory<\/strong> Freedom Association<\/strong>, Media and Law Studies Association, The Rights Initiative<\/strong>, Truth Justice Memory Center<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Republic of Turkey, being party to international conventions, is obliged to protect fundamental rights and freedoms through its legislative, judicial and executive bodies. In cases where domestic law and international treaties contradict over issues on fundamental rights and freedoms, Article 90 of the Constitution acknowledges the jurisdiction of international treaties. Despite this legal context, […]<\/p>\n