A workshop on “Human Rights in Times of Natural Disasters in Light of Constitutional Court Judgments” took place in Ankara on 6 February 2025. The workshop aimed to raise awareness of the importance of protection of fundamental rights in natural disasters and ensuring access to justice for vulnerable groups in light of the case law of the Turkish Constitutional Court.
The event, organised in co-operation with the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye, brought together 78 participants including representatives from the judiciary, public institutions, civil society and academia.
Keynote speakers included the Head of the Council of Europe Programme Office in Ankara, the President of the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye, and a Justice of the Constitutional Court. They emphasised the importance of a human rights-focused approach to disaster management and the need for strong legal frameworks to protect rights during crises. The first session focused on the human rights implications of natural disasters, with experts discussing various rights and freedoms that may be violated in such crisis situations. Key topics included the state's duty to protect the right to life and the Constitutional Court's jurisprudence on positive obligations, particularly regarding the protection of displaced populations in post-disaster situations.
The second session addressed the challenges faced by vulnerable groups in accessing justice during and after natural disasters. Speakers also explored the specific difficulties encountered by elderly individuals, women and children, in post-disaster settings, referencing both Constitutional Court judgments and empirical findings from field studies.
The workshop concluded with a Q&A session and closing remarks reinforcing the collective commitment to enhancing human rights protections during natural disasters. Participants emphasised the need for continued dialogue, legal reforms, and policy improvements to ensure better protection of vulnerable populations in disaster response and relief efforts.
The Joint Programme on “Supporting the Effective Implementation of Turkish Constitutional Court Judgments in the Field of Fundamental Rights” is co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe. The Turkish Constitutional Court is the end beneficiary of the Project.