Empowerment of the Role of Parliament in the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights by Strengthening the Administrative Capacity of Parliament’ (TR 14 IB JH 03)

Deadline: Mar 28, 2016  
CALL EXPIRED

Overall Objective

To strengthen the capacity of The Committee on Human Rights Inquiry (CHRI) to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (GNAT) in securing full and effective implementation of the rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) through monitoring the effective implementation of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgments and provide a platform for genuine exchange of essential information that enables the two parties, namely Turkey and EU, to become better acquainted with and learn from each other’s approaches and experiences on those issues.

Project purpose

To improve the knowledge of MPs and legislative experts on fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by the ECHR in order to enhance the efficiency of the Parliament’s role in the field as legislative body including strengthening the capacity of the CHRI in terms of monitoring the effective implementation of the ECtHR’s judgments as well as contribute creating an efficient environment for the dialogue and sharing experiences on legislative matters between the GNAT and Member States Parliaments.

Contribution to National Development Plan/ Cooperation Agreement/ Association Agreement/Action Plan

In the Indicative Strategy Paper for Turkey (2014-2020), it is underlined that in addition to legislative alignment, Turkey has to continuously build up the administrative capacity needed to ensure proper implementation of the EU legislation. In this respect, the process of public administration reform should continue, focusing on re-organising the public sector and ensuring the development of professional administration, both at national and local level.

The 10th National Development Plan (NDP) for 2014-2018, prepared under the lead of Ministry of Development, has been adopted by the GNAT in July 2013. The NDP provides for the country's development objectives and defines strategic priorities in all areas that are relevant for IPA support.

The NDP (2014-2018) itself acknowledges that improvements are still needed in context of rule of law and full enjoyment of all fundamental rights and freedoms by all individuals without discrimination. This is also confirmed by a series of "judicial reform packages" that have been both an expression of the efforts which have significantly transformed the Judiciary, but at the same time point to the fact that further steps will be needed.

In the paper, it is strongly emphasized that Turkey's efforts in the context of the accession process will have to focus on fully meeting the political and economic Copenhagen criteria for EU membership, as well as the ability to assume the EU acquis. Priorities for the negotiations with Turkey are identified in the Annual Progress Reports and the EU Enlargement Strategy published by the Commission.