Torture, Ill-Treatment Petitions Top 2004 List

Vahit Bicak, President of the Prime Ministry Human Rights Committee declared the applications to the presidency in 2004 in a press briefing. Signifying that the issue of human rights is no longer an issue within the borders of national sovereignty, Bicak said: " How countries treat their citizens is not an internal affair of countries anymore. Other countries might also have an interest in these issues."

(Today's Zaman, 04.03.2005) Among petitions regarding violations of human rights to the Prime Ministry Human Rights Presidency in 2004, most concern "torture and ill-treatment." Sixteen army and security directorate officials, meanwhile, complained of "excessive working hours". Vahit Bicak, President of the Prime Ministry Human Rights Committee declared the applications to the presidency in 2004 in a press briefing. Signifying that the issue of human rights is no longer an issue within the borders of national sovereignty, Bicak said: " How countries treat their citizens is not an internal affair of countries anymore. Other countries might also have an interest in these issues." Bicak announced that 847,000 people had applied over 1,634 allegations of human rights violations during 2004 and linked the low number to "the lack of recognition of the Human Rights Committee among citizens." Bicak explained that there were more applications about torture and ill-treatment than the right to a fair trial, individual liberties and security, health rights, anti-discrimination rights, the right to property, citizenship and the right of freedom of work and contract. According to the information received, most complaints were directed at the security directorate (15.6 percent) and judicial institutions (17.9 percent). The three biggest cities Ankara (17.9 percent), Istanbul (16.3 percent), and Izmir (six percent) were the source of most of the applications. Seventy-eight percent of those, who applied against violations of human rights, were male. Bicak also evaluated the US Department of State's human rights report. He said: "Issue of human rights is not only an issue of national sovereignty anymore. How countries treat their citizens is no longer an internal affair. Other countries might also be interested in these issues and prepare reports." Bicak noted the human rights report by the US has been prepared since 1990 and when compared with 2003, this year's report was more positive. 04.03.2005 Zaman Ankara

Haberin Tarihi : 27.04.2008