A/HRC/45/2 recommendations in this regard were rejected on the basis that domestic law already guaranteed sufficient protection. However, it noted that Turkey is suppressing the voices of journalists, human rights defenders, including women’s and LGBTI+ rights defenders, under different pretexts. It expressed concern that the judicial reform in Turkey failed to halt the arbitrary detention of those who express criticism on the Government. It urged the authorities to ensure an enabling environment for civil society and to stop any form of harassment against human rights defenders. 749. The International Service for Human Rights regretted that the number of recommendations provided on human rights defenders have increased, signaling a growing concern on the deterioration of the protection of their rights. It recalled that, during the emergency rule, civil society actors continued to be heavily harassed and arbitrarily detained and their space restricted. It urged the Turkish Government to ensure that defenders can carry out their legitimate activities, including health rights defenders, especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. It called on Turkey to ensure the free and undisturbed activity of human rights defenders and to adopt comprehensive legislation for the protection of defenders, including the investigation of allegations of intimidation and reprisals. 750. Article 19 - The International Centre Against Censorship (by video message) regretted that Turkey’s continuing efforts to suppress free expression since its last universal periodic review reinforced serious doubts over its commitment to fulfilling its human rights obligations. It noted that the Turkish authorities rejected recommendations regarding the arbitrary arrests of journalists who are currently in detention for simply conducting their work. It also regretted that Turkey did not accept a number of recommendations to amend its Anti-Terror Law, while falsely claiming that the already existing legislation is in line with international standards. It was concerned that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, human rights defenders, journalists, and politicians under terrorism charges, were denied the access to the prison release programme. It finally urged the authorities to repeal all the provisions on counter-terrorism, which are incompatible with international law, and to narrowly and more precisely define ‘terrorist acts’ within Turkey legislation. 751. The International Commission of Jurists welcomed the acceptance of recommendations by Turkey to ensure the independence of the judiciary. However, it expressed regret over the statement made by Turkey that the recommendations concerning the independence of the judiciary have already been implemented. It stated that, during the state of emergency, over 4,000 judges and prosecutors were dismissed, and over 2,000 were detained through arbitrary processes that did not meet international standards. It stated that the judiciary does not enjoy basic guarantees of institutional independence because its council of judges and prosecutors are fully appointed by the executive and legislative powers, contrary to international standards of independence. 752. The International Humanist and Ethical Union (by video message) stated that, while the Government claimed that the expression of thoughts amounting only to criticism is not a criminal offence, its actions spoke otherwise. Journalists and activists continued to be persecuted for inciting terrorism or hatred, insulting the President, or for blasphemy, in cases where their only crime has been to speak critically of the Government. It stated that Turkey clearly does not intend to end this practice as seen by recent passing of new legal restrictions on social media use and by the exclusion of those convicted of terrorism offences from the COVID-19 prison amnesty bill. It noted that freedom of assembly in Turkey is under threat as COVID-19 restrictions are being used to strip non-governmental organizations from the ability to meet in person and laws insisting that non-governmental organizations disclose the names of its members are putting activists’ security at risk. 753. The British Humanist Association (by video message) expressed concern over the increasing normalization of hate speech and discriminatory statements in the public discourse in Turkey, which lead to discrimination against religious minorities and 120