The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) Legal Unit participated in the United Nations Committee Against Torture session on Turkey held in Geneva, sharing findings from a joint report on the state of torture in the country.
From July 16 to July 18, 2024, the MLSA Legal Unit attended the UN Committee Against Torture’s session regarding Turkey, presenting the findings of a collaboratively prepared report.
In addition to the session, the MLSA Legal Unit held discussions with UN Special Rapporteurs to evaluate the human rights situation in Turkey.
A joint report was prepared and submitted to the Committee in June 2024 by OMCT, ÖHD, TOHAV, and MLSA. This report provides detailed findings on torture in Turkey, including specific instances involving journalists and human rights defenders. The report also addresses human rights violations in Removal Centers, evaluates the effectiveness of the Turkish Human Rights Institution, and details severe human rights abuses in high-security prisons.
The MLSA Legal Unit also met with the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, and the Centre for Civil and Political Rights to discuss the current human rights situation in Turkey.
The UN Committee Against Torture convened in Geneva from July 8 to July 26, 2024, to assess the adherence of countries, including Ivory Coast, Ecuador, South Korea, and Turkey, to the UN Convention against Torture.
The assessment of Turkey took place from July 16 to July 18, with the first day dedicated to NGO sessions and Turkey's presentation on the following two days.
The UN Committee Against Torture is expected to publish its final report on the findings in the coming months.
