Human Rights Council

Forty-fourth session

15 June–3 July 2020

Agenda item 6

Universal periodic review

Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review *

Turkey

Introduction

1.The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its thirty-fifth session from 20 to 31 January 2020. The review of Turkey was held at the 12th meeting, on 28 January 2020. The delegation of Turkey was headed by the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Director of European Union Affairs, Ambassador Faruk Kaymakcı. At its 16th meeting, held on 30 January 2020, the Working Group adopted the report on Turkey.

2.On 14 January 2020, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Turkey: Bahrain, Slovakia and Somalia.

3.In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Turkey:

(a)A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/35/TUR/1);

(b)A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/35/TUR/2);

(c)A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/35/TUR/3).

4.A list of questions prepared in advance by Armenia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Liechtenstein, Portugal, on behalf of the Group of Friends on national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America was transmitted to Turkey through the troika. These questions are available on the website of the universal periodic review.

I.Summary of the proceedings of the review process

A.Presentation by the State under review

5.The head of the delegation described the comprehensive process Turkey had undertaken to prepare for the review, which had included consultations with civil society. Recommendations from the second review cycle had guided the development of human rights policies by the Reform Action Group, which was the leading platform for implementation and follow-up of human rights reforms in the country.

6.Providing an update on national developments since its previous review, the delegation noted that Turkey was an active member of the coalitions that had been established to counter terrorism and organized crime. In particular, it was engaged in simultaneous efforts to combat multiple terrorist organizations operating within its territory and along its borders, namely the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the Partiya Yekitiya Demokrat/People’s Protection Units (PYD/YPG), the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) and Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Daesh), helping to protect the borders of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Its fight against terrorism protected first and foremost persons’ right to life and other fundamental rights.

7.Turkey was facing the biggest influx of refugees in the world and was currently home to around 4 million refugees. In hosting them, Turkey was upholding its international obligations and the human rights and dignity of those refugees, unlike certain countries, where hostility against refugees, xenophobia, hate speech and Islamophobia were on the rise.

8.On 15 July 2016, Turkey had faced a large-scale, brutal coup attempt perpetrated by the Fethullah terrorist organization (FETÖ), a clandestine terrorist organization that had tried to capture the Turkish State, killing 251 Turkish citizens and injuring over 2,000.

9.Faced with that situation, on 21 July 2016, the Turkish parliament had endorsed a state of emergency. As such, Turkey had resorted to the right to derogate from its obligations under the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (European Convention on Human Rights) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. However, throughout the state of emergency, Turkey had acted in line with its international human rights obligations and maintained its cooperation with international organizations. Several United Nations Special Rapporteurs and Council of Europe monitoring bodies had visited Turkey during that period. The state of emergency had been terminated on 19 July 2018 and all derogations had been revoked.

10.The close cooperation the country maintained with human rights mechanisms played a key role in overcoming challenges. A good example of that was the establishment of the Inquiry Commission on State of Emergency Measures. The Commission had thus far issued 10,010 decisions to accept claims, the vast majority of which concerned reinstatements.

11.Since the end of the state of emergency, Turkey had focused on its reform agenda. In May 2019, President Erdoğan had announced a judicial reform strategy to improve the protection of fundamental freedoms and of the independence, impartiality and transparency of the judiciary. Turkey was also preparing a human rights action plan.

B.Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review

12.During the interactive dialogue, 124 delegations made statements. Recommendations made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report.

13.Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Qatar, Yemen, Zambia, Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, the Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, the Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Djibouti, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, the Niger, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Viet Nam, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Moldova, the Russian Federation, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, the State of Palestine, the Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, the Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Jordan and Libya made recommendations. Angola, Mali and Serbia made statements. The complete version of the statements can be found in the webcast archived on the United Nations website.

14.With regard to freedom of expression, the delegation of Turkey noted that a provision had been added to the anti-terror legislation as part of the first judicial reform package, with a view to ensuring that the expression of thoughts that did not go beyond news reporting or did not simply amount to criticism should not constitute an offence. It recalled, nonetheless, that freedom of expression was not an absolute right and did not protect terrorist propaganda, incitement to hatred or violence. Freedom of expression could be subjected to restrictions, as provided for in international human rights treaties.

15.Turkey noted that no profession, including journalism, gave persons immunity from prosecution if there was reasonable suspicion that a crime had been committed. Legal action taken against those persons – including those that acted under direct orders from FETÖ – could not be interpreted as limiting freedom of expression.

16.While certain limitations had been placed on the rights to liberty and security during the state of emergency, the limitations were in line with the international obligations of Turkey and had been ordered by competent courts. Furthermore, individuals had the right to challenge those decisions before the courts.

17.Turkey remained committed to a zero-tolerance policy on torture. Even during the state of emergency, Turkey had taken further measures to broaden the legislative and institutional framework to prevent, investigate, prosecute and punish all acts of torture and ill-treatment. For example, under an amendment adopted in 2017, torture had become a ground for dismissal from public service for law enforcement officials. The statute of limitations with regard to the crime of torture had been abolished in 2013.

18.Freedom of assembly and association was safeguarded by the Constitution. Everyone had the right to hold peaceful demonstrations without any prior permission. In line with the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, restrictions on those rights could be foreseen in law. Between 2015 and 2019, the number of associations had increased by 39 per cent, while their revenues had grown by 107 per cent.

19.There had been widespread misunderstanding concerning the suspension from duty of some mayors. There were several ongoing investigations and proceedings against those persons for terrorism-related offences and misuse of public funds; their suspension from duty was an interim measure that had been taken in accordance with the Constitution and the relevant legislation. The authorities reviewed those measures every two months and each decision was subject to judicial review.

20.Turkey invited certain delegations to stop abusing and politicizing the universal periodic review for their own national purposes and recalled that there should be a constructive dialogue based on the three reports published before the meeting. Turkey rejected outright all the usual unfounded allegations by two delegations.

21.The representative of the Ministry of Justice provided additional information on the judicial reform strategy 2019–2023, noting that its preparation had included broad consultations with all stakeholders.The strategy prohibited the transfer of judges and prosecutors to other provinces against their will and extended their rights in disciplinary procedures against them.

22.In October 2019, the parliament had adopted a first legislative amendment package pursuant to the judicial reform strategy, which introduced amendments strengthening freedom of expression, limiting the length of pretrial detention, and improving the effectiveness, independence and impartiality of the judiciary. The delegation provided detailed information, underscoring the importance of those amendments. Preparations were under way for a second legislative package.

23.Preparations for the human rights action plan were ongoing with the broadest participation of different national and international stakeholders, including the Council of Europe and the European Union.

24.In 2019 alone, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe had finalized and closed the execution of 732 cases from the European Court of Human Rights. Thirty-two of them had been leading cases. On 15 January 2020, the Council of Judges and Prosecutors, while reviewing promotion criteria, had included an assessment as to whether or not their decisions were in compliance with the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and the Constitutional Court.

25.Some 347 penitentiary institutions in Turkey that had not met the required standards had been closed down. More than 25,000 penitentiary personnel had been trained in 2019. In addition, criminal enforcement legislation had been revised and a probation law had been adopted providing alternative sanctions to imprisonment. The improvements in prison conditions explained why, despite many requests for interim measures lodged with the European Court of Human Rights following the coup attempt, only 41 had been communicated to Turkey.

26.The representative from the Ministry of the Interior said that the procedural safeguards to prevent torture and ill-treatment in the context of the fight against terrorist organizations included medical examinations at every stage of judicial proceedings, immediate notification of detainees’ relatives, free access to a lawyer and video monitoring of detention rooms. In order to increase the effectiveness of investigations and to prevent impunity, Turkey had established a law enforcement supervision commission in September 2019. It was an independent mechanism, which had received 19 applications to date.

27.In order to ensure that peaceful demonstrations occurred in a safe and free environment, the law on meetings and demonstrations had been amended, a new regulation had been introduced on the use of tear gas and numerous training courses had been conducted on proportional use of force. On average, more than 30 million people participated annually in meetings and demonstrations in Turkey; some 99.3 per cent of those activities took place without any interference. There was no systematic ban on events involving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons; between 2015 and 2019, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex organizations had held 97 activities in different cities. Nearly 20,000 people had participated in those events.

28.With regard to non-discrimination, freedom of religion, minority and refugee rights, the delegation provided several examples illustrating the significant progress that had been made to ensure that all individuals, including woman, members of religious minorities, and persons with non-conventional backgrounds or lifestyles, enjoyed their rights without any discrimination. Those measures included the introduction of Kurdish language courses, the lifting of the ban on headscarves and the return of property to community foundations.

29.In response to the advance questions by Sweden and Canada, Turkey noted that the absence of a specific reference to sexual orientation in article 10 of the Constitution did not mean that it allowed discrimination on that ground. The phrase “any such considerations” in that article ensured that the grounds for the prohibition of discrimination were not limited to those listed.

30.Concerning the Human Rights and Equality Institution established in 2016, in conformity with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles), the delegation noted the Institution’s administrative and financial autonomy and its objective to seek accreditation with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.

31.The head of the delegation recalled how deeply rooted freedom of religion was in Turkish history and traditions. In accordance with the Treaty of Peace, signed at Lausanne, on 24 July 1923, non-Muslim minorities had their own schools, places of worship, foundations, hospitals and media organizations. Several places of worship for non-Muslim citizens had been renovated and reopened and in several cases, immovable property had been returned to non-Muslim foundations. In response to an advance question by Canada, he provided information on programmes and ceremonies organized for Alevi citizens.

32.With around 4 million externally displaced persons, including approximately 3.6 million Syrians, Turkey had become home to the largest refugee population in the world. It had granted Syrians temporary protection status, giving them rights similar to those granted under the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. In the past five years, the proportion of refugees enrolled in education had increased from 30 to 63 per cent. Syrians with temporary protection status benefitted from health-care services free of charge. They could move freely from one province to another for reasons such as education and family reunification. Special protection was afforded to unaccompanied minors and separated refugee children. In cases of voluntary repatriation, measures were taken to ensure respect of the non-refoulement principle.

33.The authorities had adopted a regulation against human trafficking and protection of victims, established a coordination commission against human trafficking and set up protection desks in 50 provinces, in addition to two shelters for victims.

34.The head of delegation emphasized that it was regrettable that some countries were abusing the universal periodic review for their own political ends. The position of Turkey on the issue of Cyprus was very well known; the universal periodic review was not the right place to speak of the realities of the Cyprus conflict. The existence of Turkish troops on the island stemmed from the 1960 international treaties within the framework of rights and obligations of Turkey as a guarantor power. Issues such as missing persons, property and freedom of religion in Cyprus fell within the competence of the Turkish Cypriot authorities.

35.In accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant Security Council resolutions, Turkey was entitled to exercise its inherent right to self-defence in response to threats to its national security. Turkey fully respected the territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of its neighbours.

36.Cyprus made a point of order, stating that the present forum was not the appropriate one in which to deal with issues that were outside the mandate of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review. All recommendations made during the review should be treated equally and subsequently listed in the body of the report. It requested that the President reiterate to all delegations the need to abide by the rules and procedures governing the Working Group.

37.The President of the Human Rights Council recalled that the universal periodic review was not the forum for dealing with bilateral political, territorial or whatever other questions, but rather the universal periodic review agenda. The secretariat had been instructed to use United Nations terminology, that was an obvious fact.

38.The delegation of Turkey highlighted the fact that the 2018–2023 strategy paper and action plan on women’s empowerment was the most comprehensive plan aiming at equality of opportunity in all policy areas. Over the past 10 years, the number of women in the workforce had increased more than 50 per cent, from around 6 million to 9 million.

39.Two circulars had recently been issued, aiming to improve the implementation of the law on the protection of the family and prevention of violence against women. The first, issued by the Ministry of Justice, established an office to address domestic violence and violence against women, under the auspices of the Chief Prosecutor’s Office. The second, issued by the Ministry of the Interior, provided for training for 500,000 law enforcement personnel. Several other measures were being taken to combat violence against women, such as the establishment of specialized units in law enforcement offices, women’s shelters, a social support telephone helpline, an electronic bracelet system, a women’s support system mobile application, and various training and awareness-raising activities.

40.Turkey had also taken significant steps in the past five years to enhance children’s rights, notably with its ratification in 2017 of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure. It had taken measures aimed at increasing the number of girls receiving education and at ending early and forced marriage. The National Programme for Combating Child Labour had been launched in 2017. Children could submit appeals through a separate web page on the site of the Ombudsman’s office.

41.Turkey had ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2015. Under its regulation on special education services, children with special needs either studied in the same classes as other children, or in special education classes equipped with the necessary materials. Furthermore, since 2018, mobile ballot boxes had been taken to persons unable to leave their houses owing to disability, enabling them to participate in elections.

42.Turkey categorically rejected the baseless allegations raised by the Syrian delegate, emphasizing the futile efforts aimed at diverting the international community’s attention away from the authorities’ continued appalling crimes and their refusal to engage constructively in the political process. Turkey was fully committed to the territorial integrity, sovereignty and unity of the Syrian Arab Republic and all its actions were in line with those principles. Turkey was entitled to exercise its inherent right to self-defence emanating from the Charter of the United Nations and the relevant Security Council resolutions in response to the threats to its national security.

43.The representative of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services recalled that Turkey had signed the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention) in 2011 and had been the first State to ratify it without any reservations. The law on the protection of the family and prevention of violence against women, drafted on the basis of the Istanbul Convention, had entered into force in 2012. The third national action plan 2016–2020 on combating violence against women was currently in force. The coordination plan on combating violence against women for 2020–2021 had been prepared by all relevant institutions to strengthen the State’s policies to that end.

44.The head of the delegation thanked everyone who had contributed in a constructive spirit to the review. He also expressed gratitude to the troika and the staff of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

II.Conclusions and/or recommendations

45. The following recommendations will be examined by Turkey, which will provide responses in due time, but no later than the forty-fourth session of the Human Rights Council.

45.1 Consider ratifying the outstanding core international human rights treaties and conventions (Ghana);

45.2 Consider ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (Ghana);

45.3 Consider ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (Ukraine);

45.4 Ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (Portugal) (Honduras) (Chile) (Iraq);

45.5 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Senegal) (Portugal);

45.6 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure (Spain);

45.7 Accede to and fully align its national legislation with the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Estonia);

45.8 Ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Honduras) (Poland) (Spain);

45.9 Promote measures that allow investigation, prosecution and sentencing of acts of enforced disappearance and consider signing the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (Argentina);

45.10 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child by establishing a presentation procedure and harmonize national legislation with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its protocols (Chad);

45.11 Ratify the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education (Slovenia) (Honduras);

45.12 Consider acceding to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness (Côte d ’ Ivoire);

45.13 Consider ratification of the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and ratify Protocol No. 12 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (North Macedonia);

45.14 Ratify the Paris Agreement on climate change and ensure the mainstreaming of gender equality in its implementation (Bahamas);

45.15 Withdraw the reservation to article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Solomon Islands);

45.16 Continue cooperation with the United Nations human rights machinery (Georgia);

45.17 Further strengthen national capacities in the promotion and protection of human rights, taking into account the concluding observations of the treaty bodies and the recommendations of the universal periodic review (Belarus);

45.18 Take prompt measures to ensure compliance with international obligations under international human rights law, and to guarantee the full enjoyment of human rights to all without distinction, respect international standards for fair trial, amend laws restricting the exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the right to peaceful assembly and association (Egypt);

45.19 Ensure full compliance with international humanitarian law and human rights law by its forces (New Zealand);

45.20 Continue to review legislation in line with its commitments to international human rights obligations (Bosnia and Herzegovina);

45.21 Continue strengthening its pertinent human right policies, with the adoption of the new National Plan in this area (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela);

45.22 Take effective measures to ensure that the new National Human Rights Action Plan fully embraces the recommendations accepted by Turkey in the universal periodic review (Sierra Leone);

45.23 Further strengthen the national Human Rights and Equality Institution (Sri Lanka);

45.24 Ensure that the national human rights institution is adequately resourced to fulfil its mandate effectively (Togo);

45.25 Continue efforts to enhance the national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles (Tunisia);

45.26 Carry out further activities to protect and improve human rights, including through the mandate of the established Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey (Turkmenistan);

45.27 Ensure the independence and transparency of the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey, in line with the Paris Principles (Ukraine);

45.28 Create all the conditions for the efficient functioning of the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey, in accordance with its charter (Uzbekistan);

45.29 Continue to strengthen the Human Rights and Equality Institution to uphold the human rights of all people and prevent discrimination (Bangladesh);

45.30 Expedite the adoption of the Action Plan on Human Rights (Qatar);

45.31 Strengthen further the National Human Rights and Equality Institution to ensure its functional structure and financial independence, in accordance with the Paris Principles (Chile);

45.32 Grant the Independent National Human Rights Institution the means required to enable it to respond to the Paris Principles (Comoros);

45.33 Ensure the functional, structural and financial independence of the Human Rights Equality Institution and guarantee that the appointment of its members was in full compliance with the Paris Principles (Zambia);

45.34 Implement the National Action Plan and Strategy Document on Combating Child, Early and Forced Marriages (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland);

45.35 Ensure restrictive, proportional and non-arbitrary application of articles 125, 215, 301 and 318 of the Criminal Code, or consider repealing them (Switzerland);

45.36 Repeal “ honour ” crimes in article 29 of the Criminal Code and criminalize gender-based violence (Spain);

45.37 Explicitly criminalize domestic violence, prosecute and punish perpetrators (Zambia);

45.38 Establish independent mechanisms for reporting and investigation of allegations of unlawful detention, torture and inhumane treatment at the hands of police and security (Estonia);

45.39 Implement its anti-discrimination legislation and extend it to include sexual orientation and gender identity (Finland);

45.40 Ensure the protection of vulnerable populations, in particular from violence and hate speech, including by the adoption of legal provisions (France);

45.41 Continue promoting the role of the Ombudsman in investigations and monitoring in the human rights field (Mauritania);

45.42 Take further measures to resource the Ombudsman and the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey in line with the Paris Principles (Kenya);

45.43 Ensure the functional, structural and financial independence of the Human Rights and Equality Institution and guarantee that the appointment of its members is in full compliance with the Paris Principles (India);

45.44 Make operational and independent Turkey ’ s Human Rights and Equality Institution (France);

45.45 Further strengthen the Human Rights and Equality Institution in line with the Paris Principles (Afghanistan);

45.46 Guarantee the impartiality and structural, operational and financial independence of the human rights and equality institution (Luxembourg);

45.47 Continue to strengthen the functioning of the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey, in accordance with the Paris Principles (Nepal);

45.48 Pursue its efforts to strengthen the capacities of the human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles (Niger);

45.49 Allocate the national human rights institution sufficient resources, in accordance with the Paris Principles (Senegal);

45.50 Increase women ’ s participation in all forms of decision-making (Libya);

45.51 Take further measures to ensure a zero-tolerance policy towards domestic violence (Azerbaijan);

45.52 Explicitly criminalize gender-based and domestic violence (Estonia);

45.53 Consider the early finalization of the National Human Rights Action Plan as a key fixture in the advancement of human rights, democratization and law enforcement in Turkey (Indonesia);

45.54 Review the legislation and make the necessary amendments to improve the standards of rights and freedoms (Kuwait);

45.55 Continue its comprehensive reforms in the field of human rights (Kyrgyzstan);

45.56 Proceed with the steps towards fulfilment of the National Action Plan on gender equality 2015–2020 (Georgia);

45.57 Criminalize domestic violence, enabling the prosecution and punishment of perpetrators (North Macedonia);

45.58 Further strengthen measures to address and prevent domestic violence (Philippines);

45.59 Continue to promote education for all people, including women and persons with disabilities, as well as lifelong learning to uphold justice, human rights and inclusiveness (Bangladesh);

45.60 Establish an effective mechanism to prevent torture and humiliating treatment (Czechia);

45.61 Strengthen measures to ensure non-discrimination (Nigeria);

45.62 Increase efforts to fulfil its obligation on gender equality under international conventions (Myanmar);

45.63 Adopt comprehensive reforms towards redressing gender injustice and inequalities (Sierra Leone);

45.64 Adopt an anti-discrimination law to prevent any type of discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity (Honduras);

45.65 Take measures to strengthen the fight against racial discrimination and hate speech (Côte d ’ Ivoire);

45.66 Continue to strengthen the rule of law, protecting rights and freedoms and ensuring the right to equal treatment of persons, preventing discrimination (Bosnia and Herzegovina);

45.67 Continue efforts to fight discrimination against women (Tunisia);

45.68 Take further steps to expand national and local resources to respond to all forms of gender-based violence (Canada);

45.69 Adopt measures to address the inequalities suffered by Kurdish women, including in access to health and education services (Ecuador);

45.70 Take further measures to prevent any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (Italy);

45.71 Continue to uphold the principles of gender equality in national legislation and policies and enhance the efforts to effectively implement it, especially in the areas of decision-making, employment, education and health, and ensure that all reports of gender-based violence are duly investigated (Lithuania);

45.72 Continue efforts made to revise the law establishing the Turkish national human rights institution to include the obligations of non-discrimination and equality (Morocco);

45.73 Take effective measures to improve gender equality, especially in decision-making, employment, education and health (Portugal);

45.74 Adopt comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation which includes sexual orientation and gender identity as protection grounds (Sweden);

45.75 Uphold the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations to limit arbitrary restrictions on freedom of assembly, including on peaceful gatherings by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community, women ’ s rights organizations, and opposition parties (Canada);

45.76 Condemn hate speech and hate crimes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals, effectively investigate and prosecute such cases and lift the ban on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex events and pride marches (Iceland);

45.77 Remove obstacles to freedom of demonstration, including for events organized by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community (Luxembourg);

45.78 Condemn hate speech and hate crimes targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (Malta);

45.79 Consider lifting the ban on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex events in Ankara and protect pride marches and other demonstrations (Malta);

45.80 Consider including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex organizations and involve their civil society representatives within the Government ’ s decision-making processes (Malta);

45.81 Guarantee the right to freedom of assembly and association, in particular through the elimination of the prohibition of events organized by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community (Mexico);

45.82 Make efforts to reduce discrimination and social isolation due to sexual orientation (Myanmar);

45.83 Ensure and practise non-discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity (Norway);

45.84 Promote measures against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, which include, among other things, the conduct of investigations and, where appropriate, the punishment of perpetrators of acts of discrimination and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (Argentina);

45.85 Continue to provide, through human rights protection, humanitarian assistance (Nicaragua);

45.86 Continue playing its leadership role in the field of humanitarian and development aid (Somalia);

45.87 Consider distributing water shares to neighbouring countries to guarantee the right to water for all, in accordance with international law (Iraq);

45.88 Continue to ensure that its climate change and disaster risk reduction policies are gender-responsive and disability-inclusive, consistent with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (Fiji);

45.89 Continue the efforts to combat all acts of terrorism (Somalia);

45.90 Reform the Penal Code, including the law on counter-terrorism, to ensure respect for the freedoms of opinion and expression, online as well as offline, in full accordance with Turkey ’ s international obligations (Sweden);

45.91 Use the judicial reform process to strengthen the right to freedom of expression and freedom of the media, in particular by revising anti-terrorism legislation in conformity with international human rights norms and standards (Switzerland);

45.92 Ensure the individuals ’ right to freedom of expression, in particular through the revision of the legislation on counter-terrorism by narrowing the scope of the definition of terrorism (Austria);

45.93 Reform article 7 (2) of the Anti-Terrorism Act and article 220 (8) of the Turkish Penal Code to address only incitement to imminent terrorist acts, and ensure that any restrictions on expressions of opinion are consistent with article 19 (3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (United States of America);

45.94 Align anti-terrorism legislation and article 301 of the Criminal Code with international human rights standards, ensuring the protection of academic freedom and student rights (Uruguay);

45.95 Review the Anti-terror Law and the Penal Code to bring them in line with the Turkish Constitution and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Belgium);

45.96 Evaluate the anti-terrorism law with a view to bringing it in line with international standards (Botswana);

45.97 Ensure that anti-terrorism and defamation legislation do not interfere with freedom of opinion and expression to enable the work of journalists, artists, academics and human rights defenders (Canada);

45.98 Bring the Anti-Terrorism Law in line with international human rights standards and prevent the prosecution of journalists and human rights defenders for peacefully exercising their human rights (Denmark);

45.99 Amend the anti-terrorism law to bring it into line with Turkey ’ s international commitments, in particular with regard to freedom of demonstration, expression and the press (France);

45.100 Amend article 7 (2) of the Anti-Terrorism Law to ensure that only incitement to violence is prohibited. Align counter-terrorism laws with international human rights standards. End excessive prosecution of human rights defenders, journalists and civil society representatives under the pretext of fighting terrorism (Germany);

45.101 Ensure that the application of anti-terror legislation is fully consistent with Turkey ’ s human rights obligations and international standards, and ensure that those arrested on terror-related charges are afforded due process (Ireland);

45.102 Strengthen efforts to bring national legislation on defamation and countering terrorism in line with international standards (Maldives);

45.103 Ensure that the application of the anti-terrorism legislation and periods when exceptional states are declared do not diminish the capacity of citizens, including journalists, to exercise the right to freedom of opinion and expression (Mexico);

45.104 Improve freedom of assembly by repealing bans on peaceful gatherings, including those of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community, as well as freedom of expression, by implementing article 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Law, which states that “ criticism ” cannot be criminalized, and by decriminalizing articles 216, 299 and 301 of the Penal Code (Netherlands);

45.105 Promptly investigate all allegations of extrajudicial killings (Timor-Leste);

45.106 Strengthen efforts to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of, and punishment for, all acts of torture and ill-treatment, and provide access to justice and rehabilitation to victims of torture (Fiji);

45.107 Continue efforts to eliminate acts of torture and ill-treatment and hold the perpetrators accountable (Ghana);

45.108 Put an end to the arbitrary and prolonged detentions of journalists, writers and representatives of civil society, including Mr. Osman Kavala (Luxembourg);

45.109 Pursue its zero-tolerance policy against torture and continue with measures to prevent, investigate, prosecute and punish all acts of torture and ill-treatment (Nicaragua);

45.110 Further implement the judicial reform strategy (Libya);

45.111 Continue to implement the new Judicial Reform Strategy (Somalia);

45.112 Amend constitutional provisions on appointing members of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors, ensuring their peers elect the majority (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland);

45.113 Guarantee an independent and impartial judiciary and ensure respect for the separation of powers (Austria);

45.114 Revise the structure and appointment process of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors (CPJ) to ensure appointments and promotions are based on objective criteria, and insulate the CPJ from executive interference (United States of America);

45.115 Ensure the independence of the judiciary by amending legislation so that the appointment of the judiciary better respects the principles of independence and impartiality (Belgium);

45.116 Continue efforts to enhance the efficiency of the judicial system within the framework of the Judicial Reform Strategy (Qatar);

45.117 Continue efforts to improve the administration of justice (Burundi);

45.118 Reform the judicial appointment process to ensure the separation of powers and guarantee judicial independence and impartiality (Canada);

45.119 Step up efforts to investigate, prosecute and punish any act of discrimination or violence based on sexual orientation or gender identity and to adopt comprehensive legislation to prevent and punish such acts (Chile);

45.120 Guarantee the independence and impartiality of the judiciary in law and in practice (Costa Rica);

45.121 Ensure respect for the rule of law and an independent judiciary and implement the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (Czechia);

45.122 Conduct an immediate, independent and effective investigation into cases of torture or ill-treatment in detention and take judicial measures to prevent such acts and prevent impunity, and ensure compensation for the victims (Egypt);

45.123 Stop the interference of the executive branch in the criminal justice system and in criminal investigations related to corruption charges against senior State officials (Egypt);

45.124 Reform the judicial system and ensure independent and impartial investigation, prosecution and trial (Finland);

45.125 Ensure the independence of the judiciary by reforming the conditions for appointing the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors (France);

45.126 Repeal all provisions that restrict judicial and prosecutorial independence, including those that allow the executive to appoint a large number of members to the Council of Judges and Prosecutors, as well as to the Constitutional Court (Germany);

45.127 Strengthen the rule of law and ensure the independence of the judiciary and prohibit executive branch interference with or attempts to exert influence over the judiciary (Iceland);

45.128 Pursue judicial reform by strengthening the independence of the judiciary (Albania);

45.129 Strengthen the independence of the judiciary (Italy);

45.130 Ensure that all allegations of arbitrary detention, torture and inhumane treatment by the security forces are duly investigated (Italy);

45.131 Effectively implement the Judicial Reform Strategy 2019–2023 and achieve its goals (Mauritania);

45.132 Strengthen its separation of powers by rolling back the Constitutional amendment of article 159 in order to improve the independence of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors, and by introducing a vertical system of appeal for rulings of Peace Judges (Netherlands);

45.133 Strengthen the independence of the judicial system and follow due judicial process according to Turkey ’ s international obligations and standards (Norway);

45.134 Give due consideration to gender equality in the recruitment of judges, prosecutors and other staff (Pakistan);

45.135 Promote the investigation of all allegations of extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances, guaranteeing that all those responsible are brought to justice (Uruguay);

45.136 Continue efforts to improve access to justice for vulnerable groups, including children, migrants, the elderly and persons with disabilities (Azerbaijan);

45.137 Take concrete steps to ensure access to justice for people in vulnerable situations, such as women, children, migrants, the elderly or persons with disabilities (Pakistan);

45.138 Open effective channels of appeal to individuals for measures taken during the state of emergency (France);

45.139 Cease the excessive use of pretrial detention, ensure human rights defenders and critics alleged to have committed an offence are guaranteed due process and fair trial rights, and strengthen the capacity of the judiciary to operate independently (Australia);

45.140 Intensify monitoring of places of detention and ensure that impartial investigations are carried out into all allegations of torture and ill-treatment, in accordance with its policy of zero tolerance of torture (Switzerland);

45.141 Ensure the execution of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (France);

45.142 Comply with the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights concerning the rights of Greek citizens to inherit immovable property in Turkey (Greece);

45.143 Redouble efforts to guarantee freedom of religion and belief, in law and in practice, particularly in the media (Haiti);

45.144 Provide the conditions for freedom of religion, in compliance with international standards (Poland);

45.145 Grant the Ecumenical Patriarchate legal personality (Greece);

45.146 Reopen Halki Seminary to solve the problems its closing continues to cause (Greece);

45.147 Guarantee the freedom of thought and religion, and the rights to freedom of information and freedom of expression, and ensure that human rights defenders and journalists can carry out their legitimate and peaceful activities without fear of attack or reprisal (Iceland);

45.148 Abolish article 301 of the Penal Code and other legal restrictions on the freedom of speech under the heading “ denigration of Turkishness ” (Armenia);

45.149 Ensure the media can operate freely without interference or censorship (Australia);

45.150 Guarantee the right to freedom of assembly of all citizens by ensuring that the restrictions provided by law are not applied in an extensive manner (Austria);

45.151 End arbitrary arrests of media professionals, civil society activists, academics, and so many others for exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms. End discrimination against members of religious minority groups (United States of America);

45.152 Allow democratically elected representatives to exercise their mandates and stop their replacement by arbitrarily appointed trustees (Czechia);

45.153 End the practice of replacing elected mayors with Government-appointed trustees before due judicial process is completed (Denmark);

45.154 Take appropriate measures to protect freedom of expression, assembly and association, as well as to guarantee a safe and enabling environment for civil society organizations, human rights defenders and journalists, including by defining the limitations to fundamental freedoms in compliance with international obligations (Italy);

45.155 Adopt legislative arrangements and specific measures implementing the Judicial Reform Strategy, inter alia, as part of ensuring media freedom and freedom of opinion and expression, both online and offline (Lithuania);

45.156 Take steps to encourage freedom of expression, including freedom of the press, association and peaceful assembly, and to align its legislation in this respect with its obligations and commitments under relevant international law (New Zealand);

45.157 Ensure freedom of expression in all its forms by refraining from censoring social and conventional media and fully enabling and respecting academic and artistic freedom (Norway);

45.158 Consider decriminalizing defamation or insult by abolishing articles 299, 267 and 125 of the Turkish Criminal Code (Slovenia);

45.159 Decriminalize defamation and ensure that the right to freedom of expression is consistent with international human rights standards (Estonia);

45.160 Guarantee the rights to freedom of expression and assembly, including by lifting bans on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex public events, and ensuring relevant laws are implemented in a manner that does not curtail fundamental freedoms and ensures a proportional and legitimate response to protest activity (Australia);

45.161 Release all those democratically elected politicians that have been arbitrarily detained or arrested and refrain from further violations in this regard (Sweden);

45.162 Continue to take the necessary measures to ensure people ’ s full enjoyment of fundamental freedoms and human rights, in particular in the civil and political domains (Republic of Korea);

45.163 Protect the exercise of the right to freedom of expression of journalists, human rights defenders and all non-governmental organizations (Timor-Leste);

45.164 Protect freedom of expression, including for journalists and human rights defenders, by decriminalizing defamation (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland);

45.165 Ensure that human rights defenders and journalists can exercise their tasks without fear of reprisals, including through bringing those responsible for attacks and harassment of journalists to justice (Austria);

45.166 Continue its efforts to ensure that national laws protect freedom of expression online and offline (Bulgaria);

45.167 Strengthen freedom of expression and privacy online and offline, including by refraining from blocking online content without judicial oversight and from resorting to Internet and mobile shutdowns (Brazil);

45.168 Ensure the existence of spaces to exercise the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, expression and association (Costa Rica);

45.169 Ensure full respect for the rights to freedom of expression and association (Uruguay);

45.170 Adopt comprehensive legislation for the protection of human rights defenders that includes the investigation of allegations of presumed violations, acts of intimidation and reprisals (Uruguay);

45.171 Ensure freedom of expression and of the media, as well as equal and quality access to information (Republic of Moldova);

45.172 Ensure full enjoyment of the freedoms of expression and assembly and allow the free functioning of civil society and the media (Czechia);

45.173 Ensure that its freedom of assembly, expression and association laws fully meet human rights obligations and are fully implemented (Finland);

45.174 Ensure free and safe space for civil society, including human rights defenders, in full accordance with international human rights obligations (Finland);

45.175 Ensure the creation of a safe, enabling environment for journalists, human rights defenders and civil society, both online and offline (Ireland);

45.176 Take further measures to promote freedom of expression and the press, including fostering a political and social environment that more broadly embraces media activities (Japan);

45.177 Ensure that human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists are not subjected to intimidation or arbitrary arrest in undertaking their work (New Zealand);

45.178 Fully respect the right to assembly and create a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders (Norway);

45.179 Ensure that human rights defenders, academics and journalists continue to enjoy fully the right to freedom of expression (Peru);

45.180 Adopt all measures aimed at guaranteeing the freedom of expression of journalists and human rights defenders (Argentina);

45.181 Allow journalists, human rights defenders and all non-governmental organizations to freely exercise their right to freedom of expression and opinion (Portugal);

45.182 Enhance efforts to raise awareness of human rights in the judiciary and organize training courses on the issues that pertain to freedom of expression and the press (Pakistan);

45.183 Prevent misuse of provisions concerning public order, public health and public morals to ensure freedom of assembly and association for all citizens, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (Germany);

45.184 Consider revising the current law according to which the right to conscientious objection to military service is a criminal act (Croatia);

45.185 Consider the introduction of civil service for conscientious objectors to military service (Croatia);

45.186 Adopt a general law against trafficking in persons and continue efforts to prevent, suppress and punish this phenomenon and all forms of sexual exploitation of children (Togo);

45.187 Continue efforts to combat human trafficking and to ensure the protection of its victims (Nigeria);

45.188 Further strengthen efforts to counter human trafficking and the protection of trafficking victims (Indonesia);

45.189 Maintain the efforts to prevent and combat trafficking in persons, to protect victims and international cooperation in that area (Cuba);

45.190 Adopt a comprehensive law to combat trafficking in persons (Ecuador);

45.191 Adopt a comprehensive anti-trafficking law (Hungary);

45.192 Adopt a comprehensive anti-trafficking law and continue efforts to prevent, supress and punish trafficking in persons, in line with target 5.2 of the Sustainable Development Goals (India);

45.193 Continue effort to combat human trafficking (Lebanon);

45.194 Continue its efforts to combat trafficking in persons, including by strengthening the legal framework and ensuring the safety and welfare of victims of trafficking (Sri Lanka);

45.195 Increase efforts to combat trafficking in persons, particularly among vulnerable groups such as migrants (Bahamas);

45.196 Increase efforts to reduce trafficking in women and girls internally and across borders (Iraq);

45.197 Take the necessary measures to combat trafficking in persons, especially women and children among refugees (Bahrain);

45.198 Increase actions targeted at preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and proactive identification of victims, especially in the context of the refugee and migrant crisis (Republic of Moldova);

45.199 Strengthen the rights of married women and their children through the civil registration of all marriages (Togo);

45.200 Repeal illegal measures that dismissed tens of thousands from their governmental positions, abolish decisions that ousted democratically elected officials, release those arrested among these officials, and compensate those affected by these measures (Egypt);

45.201 Continue taking measures to improve the universal coverage of health services to the population (Dominican Republic);

45.202 Increase women ’ s access to higher education (South Sudan);

45.203 Continue its efforts to improve education and adopt policies to enhance inclusion in education for girls and children with disabilities (State of Palestine);

45.204 Continue efforts to enhance access to inclusive education for children with disabilities (Tunisia);

45.205 Facilitate girls ’ access to higher education through the most appropriate means (Comoros);

45.206 Continue the efforts to promote the school attendance of girls, particularly in rural area (Croatia);

45.207 Redouble its efforts to ensure children who drop out of school due to financial difficulties continue their compulsory education (Ethiopia);

45.208 Include evidence-based and age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education in school curricula (Fiji);

45.209 Take all the necessary measures under domestic and international law in order to protect academic freedom at university level and related rights (Haiti);

45.210 Develop an evidence-based comprehensive sexuality education curriculum based on human rights principles (Iceland);

45.211 Continue its efforts to provide education opportunities for all children, particularly those belonging to vulnerable groups (Malaysia);

45.212 Elaborate a revision of the regulatory framework to ensure at least one year of genuinely free and compulsory pre-primary education, and an improvement in the provision of pre-primary education that would enable all children, especially refugees, to attend school (Algeria);

45.213 Continue providing equal opportunities for girls in education and in society (Montenegro);

45.214 Continue the efforts to ensure inclusive education and promote the development of all boys, girls and adolescents (Nicaragua);

45.215 Continue efforts to broaden women ’ s access to higher education (Russian Federation);

45.216 Continue efforts to prevent discrimination against women and to create equal rights and opportunities for them, including through national strategic programmes and action plans (Uzbekistan);

45.217 Address the root causes of the pervasive underreporting of gender-based violence and undertake concrete efforts to encourage reporting, including through the provision of adequate resources for this purpose (Bahamas);

45.218 Adopt measures to combat violence against women in order to protect women ’ s rights (China);

45.219 Continue to combat violence against women (Albania);

45.220 Strengthen the fight against all forms of violence against women (Comoros);

45.221 Continue efforts to combat and prosecute violence against women (Tunisia);

45.222 Continue to enhance efforts to eliminate violence against women (Cambodia);

45.223 Continue its efforts to combat unemployment among women, discrimination against women and domestic violence (Gabon);

45.224 Increase the number of women ’ s shelters, ensure unrestricted access for all women, including physically disabled women, and strictly prohibit contact between women and their perpetrators in these institutions (Austria);

45.225 Increase the institutional support services for victims of violence against women and to the women ’ s shelters (Jordan);

45.226 Redouble efforts to combat violence against women, including by ensuring that so-called “ honour ” crimes are effectively punished (Brazil);

45.227 Prevent and eradicate harmful traditional practices which discriminate against women and girls, in particular early marriage, across its territory (Burkina Faso);

45.228 Create safe and efficient mechanisms for women, particularly refugees, to report cases of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, as well as launching campaigns to encourage them to do so (Costa Rica);

45.229 Continue to consolidate the achievements in the promotion of the rights, inclusion, equal opportunities and well-being of women and girls within the framework of the national programmes (Dominican Republic);

45.230 Eliminate references to so-called honour crimes in the Criminal Code, and strengthen measures to eradicate discriminatory stereotypes regarding women, and their role in the family and society (Ecuador);

45.231 Increase efforts to promote and protect women ’ s rights, including prevention of domestic violence against women (Japan);

45.232 Step up measures for the effective empowerment of women (Myanmar);

45.233 Continue to strengthen and ensure women ’ s rights by combating violence against women and fully implementing the Istanbul Convention (Norway);

45.234 Continue efforts to ensure equal rights and opportunities for women and implement effectively the action plans on the empowerment of women and combating violence against women (Bhutan);

45.235 Introduce comprehensive frameworks for the protection of women and children from violence, including domestic violence (Poland);

45.236 Hold to account perpetrators of violence against women, including so-called honour crimes and domestic violence (Republic of Korea);

45.237 Strengthen measures to combat discrimination and violence against women, including through the implementation of relevant laws, eliminating any loopholes in national legislation that might undermine the protection of women ’ s rights and addressing discriminatory stereotypes that affect women (Rwanda);

45.238 Increase women ’ s participation in all forms of decision-making (South Sudan);

45.239 Effectively implement the Action Plan on women ’ s empowerment (Viet Nam);

45.240 Continue its efforts to improve the status of women in political, economic and social life, and to ensure equal representation in decision-making positions in the public and private sectors (State of Palestine);

45.241 Finalize and effectively implement the Provincial Action Plan on Combating Early and Forced Marriage and the 2018–2023 Strategy Document and National Action Plan on Combating Early and Forced Marriage (Botswana);

45.242 Strengthen law enforcement in the fight against early and forced marriages (Belgium);

45.243 Combat all harmful practices against women and girls, including child, early and forced marriage (Italy);

45.244 Implement relevant policies and action plans to advance gender equality and promote women ’ s empowerment and participation in political and economic decision-making processes (Thailand);

45.245 Consider taking additional steps to increase women ’ s representation at decision-making levels (Cambodia);

45.246 Increase women ’ s participation in all forms of decision-making to ensure even greater participation by women in leadership roles (Kyrgyzstan);

45.247 Ensure effective implementation of the Strategy Document and National Action plan on Combating Early and Forced Marriage (Maldives);

45.248 Take effective measure to eliminate the harmful practice of child, early and forced marriage (Namibia);

45.249 Continue measures for women ’ s empowerment and enhance their participation in all fields of society (Nepal);

45.250 Continue the policy of combating all forms of discrimination against women and guarantee women ’ s enjoyment of rights and equal opportunities in all domains (Oman);

45.251 Continue to ensure that all relevant personnel providing support services through women ’ s shelters and violence prevention and monitoring centres receive adequate training and capacity-building to more effectively assist the women in their care (Singapore);

45.252 Enhance efforts to increase female representation in higher education and employment (Sri Lanka);

45.253 Consider the effective implementation of the 2019–2023 Development Plan and other National Strategies and Action Plans aimed at promoting the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities (Turkmenistan);

45.254 Continue taking steps to prevent violence against children and eliminate child labour (Ukraine);

45.255 Raise the age of criminal responsibility and effectively enforce the prohibition of child marriage (Spain);

45.256 Reconsider the minimum employment age for children and address the situation of migrant children involved in informal labour (Bahrain);

45.257 Continue working to strengthen its legal and institutional framework, to prevent and respond in a timely manner to cases of abandonment, ill-treatment or violence against children and adolescents (Cuba);

45.258 Take additional measures that allow the protection of the rights and greater well-being of children and adolescents (Dominican Republic);

45.259 Continue upholding the rights of children including by ensuring the effective implementation of the National Programme for Combating Child Labour (Malaysia);

45.260 Step up government efforts to eliminate child and forced labour (Namibia);

45.261 Continue supporting and implementing the national plan aimed at combating child labour (Oman);

45.262 Adopt legislation prohibiting all forms of corporal punishment of children (Poland);

45.263 Strengthen the legislative framework to eradicate child marriage, including unregistered religious marriages, in order to guarantee the rights of all married women and their children (India);

45.264 Urge State media and State leaders at all levels to meet their obligations under the Constitution ’ s article 10, treat all people equally regardless of religion, and speak out against derogatory statements made against Jews, Christians and other religious minorities (Solomon Islands);

45.265 Continue to take steps to promote and protect the rights of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, and combat discrimination, stereotypes and prejudice against minority groups (Thailand);

45.266 Promote social inclusiveness by strengthening and implementing anti-discrimination laws, including for all religious and ethnic minorities (Australia);

45.267 Respond substantially to the joint communication AL TUR 1/2019 of 25 March 2019 by several mandate holders (Armenia);

45.268 Adequately investigate and effectively prosecute racist hate speech and discriminatory statements directed at minorities, such as Armenians, Kurds and Roma (Armenia);

45.269 Undertake the adequate steps concerning the property claims of persons of Bulgarian identity from Eastern Thrace, following Bulgaria ’ s recommendations from the first universal periodic review cycle (Bulgaria);

45.270 Take concrete measures to protect the rights of ethnic minorities (China);

45.271 End the seven-year regulatory gap and proceed without further delay to the adoption and implementation of new electoral regulations so that Turkish citizens belonging to non-Muslim communities are able to elect their leadership and thus manage their charitable foundations (Greece);

45.272 Allow children of Greek citizens working in Istanbul to enrol in the Greek minority schools and grant them an equivalent diploma upon completion of their studies (Greece);

45.273 Improve access to sexual and reproductive health services, especially for Kurdish women and other minority women, and for women living in rural and remote areas, and avoid early and unwanted pregnancies (India);

45.274 Continue efforts to consult non-Muslim minorities with a view to addressing the challenges faced by these minorities when electing members of their institutions (Lebanon);

45.275 Strengthen measures to avoid discrimination based on ethnic grounds, ensuring that Kurdish, Armenian and Roma people have the same access to public services, especially in education and health (Peru);

45.276 Continue implementing the Project for Supporting the Implementation and Monitoring of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Jordan);

45.277 Continue to expand the coverage of programmes and projects to facilitate inclusive education for persons with disabilities, including in rural areas (Singapore);

45.278 Continue to implement policies aimed at speeding up and promoting the insertion and the active participation of all persons with disabilities in the society and their community and allocate the necessary resources (Djibouti);

45.279 Encourage inclusive education for disabled children (South Sudan);

45.280 Continue efforts to promote the rights of persons with disabilities, including their inclusion in society and the provision of adequate health care (Sudan);

45.281 Reinforce efforts aimed at safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities, including by guaranteeing their access to inclusive education (Ukraine);

45.282 Continue efforts towards adopting legislative and institutional measures to enhance the rights of persons with disabilities (Bhutan);

45.283 Repeal discriminatory provisions against people with disabilities and harmonize its anti-discrimination legislation with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Chad);

45.284 Repeal the discriminatory provisions with regard to persons with disabilities and harmonize its anti-discrimination legislation with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Haiti);

45.285 Continue promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, including by harmonizing its anti-discrimination legislation with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Malaysia);

45.286 Ensure that solitary confinement and other non-consensual treatment of persons with disabilities in institutions is avoided, and investigate those responsible for such measures with a view to imposing criminal or administrative sanctions (Algeria);

45.287 Take further steps to encourage inclusive education of children with disabilities (Montenegro);

45.288 Continue taking legislative, institutional and operational measures to promote the rights of persons with disabilities (Oman);

45.289 Continue the efforts towards the protection and promotion of the right of persons with disabilities, especially accessibility for children with disabilities (Viet Nam);

45.290 Consider reviewing discriminatory provisions against persons with disabilities and harmonize its anti-discrimination legislation with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Rwanda);

45.291 Continue efforts to formulate the National Migration Action Plan with the participation of all stakeholders (Yemen);

45.292 Continue to review and assess its immigration laws and policies to ensure that the rights of migrants are safeguarded, in accordance with international human rights standards (Philippines);

45.293 Ensure that all migrant workers have access to medical care (Afghanistan);

45.294 Continue to call international attention to the difficult situation of refugees, encouraging the allocation of more resources for their protection (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela);

45.295 Ensure that all asylum seekers and migrants within the territory of Turkey enjoy their basic human rights (Afghanistan);

45.296 Continue the provision of humanitarian aid, education and health services to refugees, migrants and asylum seekers (Sudan);

45.297 Continue drawing the attention of the international community to the plight of refugees and call for international burden sharing (Libya);

45.298 Continue applying a human rights-centred approach to people seeking refuge in the country and share its best practice in this regard with the international community (Azerbaijan);

45.299 Continue to play its humanitarian role in hosting refugees and providing them with the necessary services (Qatar);

45.300 Ensure that the return of refugees is in accordance with international law (Albania);

45.301 Strengthen access to legal assistance and interpretation for asylum seekers at border points and migration centres (Mexico);

45.302 Respect the sovereignty of neighbouring States in such a way as not to harm their citizens ’ sovereign and humanitarian rights (Iraq).

46. The recommendations formulated during the interactive dialogue/listed below have been examined by Turkey and have been noted by Turkey:

46.1 Accede to the International Criminal Court (Cyprus);

46.2 Ratify the Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions (Cyprus);

46.3 Abide by all United Nations resolutions regarding human rights violations that implicitly or explicitly refer to Turkey (Cyprus);

46.4 Revoke all decrees and laws associated with the now-lifted state of emergency (Cyprus);

46.5 Provide the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus with all information that the Turkish authorities have on possible burial sites, including full access to archives and unrestricted access to military areas (Cyprus);

46.6 Put an end to arbitrary arrests and detention of journalists, politicians and activists, immediately release those detained on supposed connections to banned organizations, and bring anti-terror laws in line with international standards (Cyprus);

46.7 Implement all European Court of Human Rights judgments, including the fourth inter-State case of Cyprus versus Turkey where Turkey was found liable (Cyprus);

46.8 Execute said judgment and individual cases against Turkey regarding violations in Cyprus (Cyprus);

46.9 Comply with the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights concerning human rights violations in the occupied areas of Cyprus, not under the effective control of the Government of Cyprus (Greece);

46.10 Respect the right of return in safety and dignity of internally displaced persons from the occupied territories of Cyprus and provide them with the necessary compensation (Armenia);

46.11 Provide the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus with all the information that the Turkish Government and armed forces have on the burial sites of missing persons, including archives and restricted military areas (Armenia);

46.12 Cease the theft and smuggling of Syrian heritage and antiquities in cooperation with armed terrorist groups (Syrian Arab Republic);

46.13 Comply with the Security Council resolutions relating to combating terrorism and stop providing support to terrorist groups (Syrian Arab Republic);

46.14 Combat the rising occurrence of forced marriage and child marriage (Syrian Arab Republic);

46.15 Cease imposing the Turkish language and demographic changes implemented in cooperation with terrorist groups in certain regions in the Syrian Arab Republic (Syrian Arab Republic);

46.16 Prohibit the practice of solitary confinement and non-consensual treatment of persons with disabilities in institutions (Syrian Arab Republic);

46.17 Cease the exploitation of refugees and stop using them for political and financial extortion and as a human trafficking commodity (Syrian Arab Republic);

46.18 Fight the surge of prostitution in areas with high numbers of Syrian refugees, and adopt a comprehensive law aimed at combating human trafficking (Syrian Arab Republic);

46.19 Cease interfering in the internal affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic and terminate the Turkish aggression on the Syrian territory with immediate effect (Syrian Arab Republic).

47. Turkey rejects the recommendations listed in paragraphs 46 .1– 46 .8 above as Turkey neither recognizes Cyprus nor accepts its claims to represent the whole island.

48. Turkey rejects the recommendations listed in paragraphs 46 .9 and 46 .10 above as its presence in the island stems from 1960 international treaties, within the framework of Turkey ’ s rights and obligations as guarantor power in Cyprus.

49. Turkey rejects the recommendation listed in paragraph 46 .11 above as it is not in line with the principles of the non-confrontational and non-politicized conduct of the universal periodic review. Turkey supports the work of the Committee on Missing Persons, a bi-communal body, where Turkish Cypriot authorities continue to assist and contribute to its work.

50. Turkey categorically rejects the allegations in the recommendations listed in paragraphs 46 .12– 46 .19 above.

51. All conclusions and/or recommendations contained in the present report reflect the position of the submitting State(s) and/or the State under review. They should not be construed as endorsed by the Working Group as a whole.

Annex

Composition of the delegation

The delegation of Turkey was headed by H.E. Mr. Faruk Kaymakcı, Ambassador, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs & Director for EU Affairs and composed of the following members:

•H.E. Mr. Sadık Arslan, Ambassador, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Turkey to UNOG;

•H.E. Ms. Kıvılcım Kılıç, Ambassador, Director General for Multilateral Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

•Ms. Neval Orbay, Deputy Director General for the Council of Europe and Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

•Ms. Muzaffer Uyav Gültekin, Head of Department, Deputy Directorate General for the Council of Europe and Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

•Ms. Ayşe Mehlika Yıldız, Attache, Deputy Directorate General for the Council of Europe and Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

•Ms. Ceren Şanlıdağ, Attache, Deputy Directorate General for the Council of Europe and Human Rights, Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

•Ms. Çağrı Çakır, Head of Department for Political Affairs, Directorate for European Union (EU) Affairs:

•Mr. Hacı Ali Açıkgül, Head of Department for the Human Rights, Ministry of Justice;

•Mr. Halid Haki Barut, Head of Division, Department of Human Rights, Ministry of Justice;

•Mr. Fatih Güngör, Head of Division, Directorate General for Prisons and Detention Houses, Ministry of Justice;

•Mr. Seçkin Koçer, Rapporteur, Directorate of Strategy Development, Ministry of Justice;

•Mr. Mustafa Çadır, Head of Department, Directorate General on the Status of Women, Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services;

•Mr. Kadir Akın Gözal, Deputy Director General for Legal Services, Ministry of Interior;

•Mr. Cüneyt Ünal, Head of Department for Security, 1st Degree Police Chief, Ministry of Interior;

•Mr. Volkan Sazak, Head of Division, Department of Security, Ministry of Interior;

•Mr. Kemal Turan Acar, EU Expert, Department of the EU and Foreign Relations, Ministry of Interior;

•Ms. Beliz Celasin Rende, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Turkey to UNOG;

•Mr. Ali Murat Nas, Justice Counsellor, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Turkey to UNOG;

•Mr. Erdal Onat, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Turkey to UNOG;

•Mr. Yaşar Özbek, Legal Counsellor, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Turkey to UNOG;

•Mr. Öncü Güneş, Third Secretary, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Turkey to UNOG.