28/04/2014 Legal Affairs and Human Rights
Strasbourg, 28.04.2014 – “I note that Turkey is one of the countries with the highest number of non-executed ECHR judgments and I hope that major structural problems will soon be overcome,” said Klaas de Vries (Netherlands, SOC), PACE rapporteur on the implementation of judgments of the ECHR, at the end of a two-day fact-finding visit to Ankara (24-25 April).
He welcomed the Turkish authorities’ efforts to reform their justice system and, in particular, to implement ECHR judgments, including the introduction of the individual constitutional complaint in 2012. He noted, however, that there are still outstanding human rights issues which need further improvement, especially as regards respect for freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.
Mr de Vries also called for the establishment of a parliamentary structure to supervise implementation of Strasbourg Court judgments and was given assurances that this idea would soon be pursued.
During his visit to Ankara, the rapporteur met the Minister of Justice, the Deputy Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Interior, the First President and judges of the Court of Cassation, the Vice-President of the Constitutional Court, the Deputy Prosecutor General and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also held discussions with Heads of the Committees on Justice and on Human Rights Inquiry of the Grand National Assembly.
This is the first in a series of visits by the rapporteur aimed at applying parliamentary pressure on states where delays or difficulties in implementing ECHR judgments have occurred.