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35th Universal Periodic Review: UK statement on Turkey

The UK delivers statement on Turkey at the 35th Session of Universal Periodic Review (UPR), sharing recommendations to improve their human rights record.

• From: UK Mission to the WTO, UN and Other International Organisations (Geneva)
• Published: 28 January 2020

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

The Universal Periodic Review takes place in Geneva.

The United Kingdom notes that the end of the state of emergency following the 2016 failed coup, and progress against Daesh and the PKK, provide opportunity for reform ahead of the 2023 elections.

We are concerned by harassment and imprisonment of journalists. We trust the Government will remove obstacles to freedom of expression.

We recommend that Turkey:

1. Implement the National Action Plan and Strategy Document on Combating Child, Early and Forced Marriages.
2. Protect freedom of expression, including for journalists and human rights defenders, by decriminalising defamation.
3. Amend constitutional provisions on appointing members of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors, ensuring their peers elect the majority.

Published 28 January 2020