No: 16, 15 January 2015

The report by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (“the CPT”), which is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the “European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment” within the Council of Europe, on its visit to Turkey which took place from 9 to 21 June 2013 in accordance with Article 8 § 1 of “the Convention”, and the Government’s response to this report have been made public today by the CPT, following the Government’s authorization. The documents are accessible on the CPT’s website, http://www.cpt.coe.int/en/.

During the 6th periodic visit, the CPT delegation visited prisons, detention and removal centres in various provinces.

So far, all reports prepared by the CPT following its visits to Turkey have been published, along with our Government’s responses, following the Government’s authorization. Turkey attaches importance to the independent monitoring mechanisms of the Council of Europe and cooperation with these mechanisms in accordance with the Conventions to which it is a party. The publication of the said CPT report along with our Government’s response reflects this understanding.