ASSEDEL submitted its report to the UN Human Rights Council in the frame of the Universal Periodic Review of Türkiye .In this report, ASSEDEL highlights the alarming erosion of the rule of law and democracy in Türkiye, particularly following the 2016 coup attempt. In its aftermath, over 4,000 judges and prosecutors were purged, often without due process, severely undermining judicial independence. ASSEDEL notes that these dismissals were politically motivated, creating an atmosphere of fear among remaining judges, who are now reluctant to rule against government interests, further eroding public trust in the judiciary.
ASSEDEL also points out that the 2017 constitutional amendments gave the executive excessive control over the judiciary. The High Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK), which oversees the appointment and dismissal of judges, is now largely appointed by the President and the National Assembly, raising serious concerns about the politicization of the judiciary. This shift has compromised judicial impartiality, as seen in cases where judges loyal to the government are promoted while critics face dismissal or prosecution.
The report further stresses Türkiye’s failure to comply with international human rights obligations, particularly rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The report highlights that numerous politically sensitive cases illustrate the judiciary’s subordination to the executive, with courts failing to ensure fairness and impartiality in their rulings. ASSEDEL emphasizes that this pattern demonstrates how deeply the judiciary has been compromised, especially in cases involving government critics or politically charged matters.ASSEDEL calls for urgent reforms to restore judicial independence and ensure that Türkiye adheres to international standards.
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