of independent and professional personnel
and should be set up through a
comprehensive consultative process with all
the stakeholders involved. It should also be
granted dedicated and sufficient human and
financial resources as well as ample powers
to accept and review complaints from
relatives and to properly investigate and
make recommendations for possible
criminal prosecutions. Furthermore, it
should be equipped with the technical
capacity to conduct exhumations, including
forensic expertise.
Situation during the visit
A/HRC/33/51/Add.1
Measures taken/current situation
Furthermore, the judicial establishment of the truth about the
disappearances has not been possible due to the failure of the
investigating and prosecuting authorities in carrying out
thorough, adequate, and independent criminal investigations
capable of gathering necessary evidence.
Human Rights Association
There is no specific, extra-judicial mechanism established for the
search of disappeared persons and investigation into allegations
of disappearances.
JWF – IAHRA Geneva
Family members of the victims in Turkey did not receive any
assistance from any specialized state agency to search for the
disappeared individual and establish his/her whereabouts. In their
knowledge, no such body has been established after July 2016. In
one case, the family of the victim submitted a complaint with the
prosecutor’s office, but no investigation was carried out. Family
members of the other victim in Turkey submitted a complaint to
the Gendarmerie, the Prosecutors Office and the Constitutional
Court, but no proper relief has been yet received. Thirteen victims
and their family members outside Turkey responded that they
were not aware of any extrajudicial mechanism specifically
devoted to searching for those who have disappeared, in Turkey
or in the countries of their residence. One family member did not
respond to the question as it felt that it did not apply to the
situation of her spouse.
LLG – TGRLSP
Turkey has not adopted any policy to address disappearances.
According to Turkey’s 2019 Progress report by European
Commission, there is still no comprehensive, consistent approach
in relation to missing persons, to the exhumation of mass graves
Level of implementation and
observations (to be completed by
the WGEID)
accordance with its humanitarian
obligations. Turkey is obliged to
provide closure to so many families
seeking
truth,
justice
and
remembrance for their disappeared
family members.
A/HRC/45/13/Add.4
22
Recommendations
A/HRC/33/51/Add.1
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