10 December 2004

 

STATEMENT BY THE

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

ABDULLAH GÜL

ON THE OCCASION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

 

We are commemorating the 56^th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948.

 

Turkey is amongst the first countries to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which is a principal document in the field of individual rights and freedoms. At the same time Turkey is party to all core human rights instruments of the United Nations.

 

Our Government considers the issue of human rights an indispensable element of the development and democratization of our country and regards this as a multifaceted process including transparency in administration and combating corruption. Our Government, enjoying the support of our people, has the will and resolve to maintain its efforts in this regard in the future without any concessions and in determination.

 

Aligning the legislation with the obligations contained in international instruments with regard to human rights, the rule of law and democracy norms and standards and ensuring their effective implementation constitute the main pillar of the reform process. This is a dynamic process aimed at perfection . New areas and topics arise regarding human rights. It is among our priorities to adapt to the newly emerging developments and providing for a widespread and strong social awareness in the field of human rights. In this framework, amendments have been introduced to the Constitution and other basic laws and reform packages have been enacted with a view to aligning with the EU standards.

 

Serious efforts are under way in order to remedy the remaining problems. It is our aspiration that all Turkish citizens live in their homeland, free of fear and concern, in happiness and safety, without any discrimination as first class citizens and we maintain our intense efforts in this direction. In this respect,  utmost attention will be paid to the protection of women and children’s rights and every effort will be exerted to solve the problems in this field. We will continue to act in line with the principle of showing respect for our linguistic, religious and cultural diversity.

 

The most pleasing aspect of this process is that all those reforms are supported by our people and promptly implemented by all sectors of our society including public servants, the media, the judiciary and the civil society. This makes considerable contribution to the atmosphere of national peace and compromise.

 

Respect for human beings and rights of others which is part of the historical and moral values of the Turkish people facilitates the implementation of our reforms and accelerates the expansion of the practices.

 

In this framework, we are glad to note that the “zero tolerance against torture and ill-treatment” policy pursued by the Government has been acknowledged by credible international monitoring mechanisms including the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The efficient dialogue and cooperation that we have with the said Committee and other international and national monitoring mechanisms will be maintained with determination and meticulousness.

 

On the other hand, importance is also attached to efforts aimed at raising awareness in the field of human rights in all sectors of the society through education. We attach utmost importance to the active implementation of the 1998-2007 national programme prepared by the National Committee for the UN Decade for Human Rights Education.

 

On the occasion of the anniversary that we commemorate, we wish all countries put the principles set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into practice, to the best possible extent,  and  we wish all the peoples in the world enjoy those rights.