On 7 November 2024, a delegation from the Turkish Constitutional Court (TCC), including the President, Vice-President, justices and rapporteurs, participated in a study visit to Paris. This visit, part of the European Union - Council of Europe Joint Programme on “Supporting the Effective Implementation of Turkish Constitutional Court Judgments in the Field of Fundamental Rights”, aimed to enhance the exchange of insights on the implementation of fundamental rights in line with the European standards.
The visit began with a session at the French Council of State, where the TCC justices and rapporteurs exchanged insights and engaged in discussions with their French counterparts on topics such as the protection of human rights by high courts, cooperation and dialogue among high judicial bodies, the role and positioning of Constitutional Courts within the judiciary, and best practices for aligning with the European Court of Human Right case law. Discussions also covered thematic human rights issues encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic, including confinement, the closure of places of worship, and mandatory vaccination, focusing on the courts' timely and substantiated responses to these challenges.
Next, the delegation held a high-level meeting at the French Constitutional Council, where they were welcomed by its President. Discussions focused on thematic issues, including the role of constitutional courts within the judiciary, their impact on national human rights protection, and the importance of adherence to their rulings by lower courts and administrative bodies to uphold human rights and the rule of law. The delegation also examined the "Question prioritaire de constitutionnalité" as applied by the French Constitutional Council, comparing its similarities and differences with the "Normative Control" employed by the TCC and their respective roles in protecting human rights in each country. The exchange further covered best practices and the essential role of constitutional oversight in safeguarding human rights at national level and the importance of following the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights.
The study visit was an important step in fostering co-operation and dialogue between the TCC and its French counterparts, contributing to the shared goal of enhancing the protection of human rights at the national level.
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.