The 80th session of the United Nations Committee against Torture (UNCAT), which began on 8 July, is underway at Palais Wilson, the UN Office in Geneva. Turkey’s compliance with the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) will be addressed on the 17-18 July.
Representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the Turkish delegation take part in the sessions focusing on human rights violations in Turkey. For two days, the independent experts of UNCAT will question Turkish officials about human rights violations in the country, based on their own reports and those submitted by civil society organisations. The Committee will also seek Turkey’s defence on the implementation of previous recommendations made by UNCAT.
The Committee also met behind closed doors with representatives of NGOs that had submitted reports on Turkey. These sessions allowed NGOs to present their findings and address the Committee.
Several civil society groups highlighted the gravity of human rights violations in the country, and underlined Turkey’s failure to comply with its obligations under the UN convention.
National and international organisations submitted reports, including the Lawyers for Freedom Association (ÖHD), Foundation for Society and Legal Studies (TOHAV), Asrın Law Office, the Human Rights Association (İHD), the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and Human Rights Watch (HRW). Nearly 30 NGOs submitted reports on Turkey for these sessions.
The reports drew attention to human rights violations in Turkish prisons and war crimes in regions under occupation by the Turkish state and affiliated militia groups. The 40-month communication blockade against Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan was particularly highlighted in the reports.
The 80th session of UNCAT, which ends on 26 July, will culminate in the preparation of country reports on torture with recommendations for improvement.
