The action “Strengthening the human rights protection in the context of migration in Türkiye” aims at supporting the authorities of Türkiye in enhancing detention conditions and ensuring that appropriate procedural safeguards are in place in line with European and international standards in the context of migration. Special attention will be given to strengthening guarantees for the identification, protection and referral of persons in vulnerable situations, especially children. The action will aim at fostering multi-disciplinary co-operation and strengthening the capacities of relevant authorities and other professionals in the field.
This action is implemented within the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, running from 2023 until 2025.
What are the goals and objectives of the action?
- to ensure detention conditions and procedural safeguards in the context of migration are in line with European and international standards
- to improve procedures and inter-agency mechanisms for the protection of persons in a vulnerable situation, especially unaccompanied children
Who benefits from the action?
- the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, Ombudsperson's Office, Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye, Bar Associations, Ministry of Family and Social Services, Presidency of Migration Management, Law Enforcement Authorities
- lawyers
- civil society organisations (CSOs)
- migrants, asylum seekers and refugees
How does the action work?
- through capacity building (with a focus on the MoFSS, PMM, NHREIT, the Ombudspersons' Office, law enforcement agencies, and UTBA)
- through development of tools (e.g. context specific HELP courses, and new HELP courses currently being developed by the Council of Europe)
- through awareness raising (lawyers, CSOs, university students)
- through co-ordination meetings involving also the CSOs: on assessment of needs and challenges in practice as well as policy level consultations
- through small grants for CSOs including the Bar Associations
What do we expect to achieve?
Protection of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees’ rights in Türkiye is advanced in line with European standards.
What is the budget of the action?
The total budget of the action is 800 000 EUR.
The budget allocated to the overall Horizontal Facility programme amounts to ca. 41 million EUR (85% funded by the European Union, 15% by the Council of Europe).
How to get more information?
- Council of Europe: Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law
- Horizontal Facility website and e-mail address
About Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye
The “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” is a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe that enables the Western Balkans Beneficiaries and Türkiye to meet their reform agendas in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy and to comply with the European standards, which is also a priority for the EU enlargement process.
