In its 20th annual World Report Human Rights Watch (HRW) evaluated the year 2009 in terms of human rights conditions. Regarding Turkey, HRW prioritized the need for a new Constitution.
The government's announcements related to the "democratic initiative" sparked hopes that a long-stalled reform process might be resumed:
"The realization of a plan to uphold minority rights for Turkey's different ethnic and religious groups would represent a fundamental departure from the variously assimilationist or repressive policies of the past, and offers the possibility of advancing the rights of all groups."
HRW points out that the obstacles to change remain clear:
The most notable foreign policy achievement of the year came with the signing of an agreement by Turkey and Armenia that opens the way to establishing diplomatic relations and reopening the long-closed border between the two countries. The decision is subject to parliamentary approval.
Repression on human rights defenders as the main topic of the World Report does concern Turkey as well. The report highlights the fact that no progress was made regarding the trial about the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink three years ago. HRW furthermore draw attention to members of the Confederation of Trade Unions of Public Employees (KESK) who stood trial in Izmir on charges of being members of the PKK. The evidence against them mainly referred to their activities in support of such issues as Kurdish-language education. Additionally, the report mentions the detention of Human Rights Association (İHD) executive Filiz Kaya. (TK/VK)
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Source: Human Rights Watch.