Enhancing the effectiveness of Civil Monitoring Boards in Türkiye in line with European Standards

The Civil Monitoring Boards (CMBs) have been actively involved in the external monitoring of the penitentiary system in the Republic of Türkiye through conducting on-site visits since 2001. The main task of CMBs is to conduct civil monitoring visits to the prisons and produce reports with binding recommendations for the Ministry of Justice. The deficiency of standards within the monitoring process, as well as the inadequate capacities and lack of training opportunities for the members, remained at unsatisfactory level for a long period of time.

The current “learning by doing” system should be replaced by an institutionalized training system. Therefore, there is an urgent need to work on the capacity building of the CMBs, as well as on increasing the quality of the whole process of the selection and training of its members in order to reach the European standards. Only a well-functioning external monitoring mechanism will contribute to a better penal system by decreasing the human rights breaches.

The Project was divided in 4 components:

Strengthening CMBs independence through revision of the applicable legal and regulatory framework in line with the international standards;
Enhancing CMBs efficiency by further developing their monitoring standards and working methodology and tools;
Ensuring sustainable training provision for the CMB members; and
Improving CMBs internal coordination and communication with other external monitoring mechanisms.

This Project was estimated to cover approximately 100 activities to be implemented by 31 May 2022, with an overall budget of 1,600,000 Euros.

Project documentation

Useful information

PROJECT NEWS

Back Draft amendments to the regulatory framework on civil monitoring boards presented to stakeholders in Turkey

A number of stakeholders provided their feedback to the draft amendments on the legislation regulating the work of the civil monitoring boards (CMBs) in an online Round Table (RT) held on 25 February 2021.

The comprehensive proposal on amending the CMBs’ legislative framework will increase their effectiveness and make the selection of members of CMBs transparent and more accessible. The draft proposes some further amendments on the mandate of the CMBs, gender quota, consultations with civil society, publication of the reports, internal coordination, and training of the CMBs, as well as a follow-up procedure to the prison visits. The RT marks the completion of process of alignment of legislation governing the mandate and role of the CMBs with Council of Europe and other international standards, which has started in February 2020.

The participants agreed that the expected adoption of the amended legal framework by the Turkish authorities will be a significant step forward, leading to further strengthening CMBs’ independence and enhancing the impact of their work. The Directorate General for Prisons and Detention Houses (DGPDH) representative confirmed that they are looking forward to a prompt revision of the legal framework.

A total of 55 participants attended the Round Table, representing the CMBs, the DGPDH, civil society organisations, the Ombudsman Institution, the Ministry of Justice Inspection Board and Board of Controllers, the National Preventive Mechanism, enforcement judges, public prosecutors, academia, as well as the project donors.

The meeting was held within the Project entitled “Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Civil Monitoring Boards in Turkey in line with the European Standards” funded by Sweden, Switzerland, the Republic of Turkey, the Council of Europe Human Rights Trust Fund and Canada, and implemented by the Council of Europe.

Turkey 25 February 2021