Recommendations A/HRC/33/51/Add.1 Situation during the visit A/HRC/33/51/Add.1 Measures taken/current situation 3. equality body, for preventing discrimination and safeguarding the right of equal treatment, in line with EU directives on equality The general preamble of the Law no. 6071 includes direct references to the United Nations Paris Principles, CoE Conventions and EU Directives (2006/54/EC, 2000/43/EC, 2000/78/EC). According to Law no. 6701, the Institution shall have the duty and power to investigate the allegations of discrimination, illtreatment and torture upon application or ex officio. The Institution shall have the duty and power to investigate human rights violations only ex officio. Level of implementation and observations (to be completed by the WGEID) necessary powers to act as an independent National Preventive Mechanism as mandated by the Optional Protocol of the Convention against Torture. Independence According to the Article 149 of the Statutory Decree no. 703 dated 9 July 2018, which envisages amendments to the Law no. 6701, “The Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey, affiliated to the Minister appointed by the President, with public legal entity status and administrative and financial autonomy, has been established in order to fulfil the duties and execute the powers conferred on it by this Law and other relevant legislation. The President, when necessary, may exercise his authority through the Minister in matters concerning the management of the Institution.” In addition, the Presidential Circular No. 2018/1 provides that the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey is affiliated with the Ministry of Justice. Affiliation is the weakest possible attachment type in Turkish administration system. 59 A/HRC/45/13/Add.4 HREI has public legal personality, administrative and financial autonomy and private budget in order to ensure the independence of the Institution. The Law no. 6701 regulates that the Board shall consist of 11 members including a head and a deputy head. Additionally, according to Article 10 of the Law, the Board as the decisionmaking body of the Institution, shall perform and exercise its