Committee: The Council of Europe convention on action against human
trafficking
Agenda: Combating human trafficking with special emphasis on human rights
violation and trans-border organised crime in the Balkan states.
Allocation: Turkey
School: Delhi Public School Ruby Park, Kolkata
Delegate: Paloma Kar
STANCE OF TURKIYE ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND HUMAN
RIGHTS VIOLATION
Türkiye, is a trans-continental country, lying partly in Asia and partly in Europe.
Throughout its history it has acted as both a barrier and a bridge between the
two continents. The Republic of Turkey is aware of the dangers of illegal
immigration and trans-border organized crimes, and has throughout the past
years adopted different measures to prevent said dangers and continues to do so.
Its history has had a significant impact on its human rights situations- transition
from an empire to a republic included legal and political reforms, which
improved human rights. In the process of seeking EU membership, Turkey
enacted legal reforms to align its laws with European standards, including
improvements in freedom of expression, minority rights, and women's rights.
What began as a trickle soon became an influx. Today, Turkey has welcomed
more than 3.6 million Syrian refugees, who constitute the vast majority of over
4 million refugees and asylum seekers currently living in country, making
Turkey the world’s largest host of refugees.
Time and again Turkey has proven to be one of the most important negotiators
of several different conflicts. It aspires to gather community support and
eradicate the problem of Human trafficking and crime from the roots by helping
the targeted countries.
The republic of Turkey, once called the “cradle of civilization”, today combats
these multifaceted challenges trying to live up to its name.
1
THE POLICIES ADOPTED BY TURKEY: -
A. INTERNATION LEGISLATION:
1. The Palermo Protocol
An international treaty that supplements the UN Convention against
Transnational Organized Crime, is the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress,
and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.
2. Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery
Turkey has reaffirmed its resolve to eliminate slavery, the slave trade,
and other forms of servitude as well as its commitment to
safeguarding human rights and abolishing these deplorable practices.
B. NATIONAL LEGISLATION:
1. Law on Foreigners and International Protection (Law No. 6458)
A legal framework addressing immigration, asylum, and foreign
residents' rights it deals with victim protection and human trafficking
prevention. This has a significant impact on how Turkey views matters
involving foreigners and international protection inside its boundaries.
2. Official Gazette No 25127- Turkish citizenship law 403
The granting of work permits to foreign nationals in Turkey is covered
by Law No. 4817. The main goal of the law is to stop foreigners from
working illegally or without authorization.
C. REGIONAL AND BILATERAL AGREEMENTS
1. Bilateral Cooperation Protocol with Kyrgyzstan on Combating
Trafficking in Human Beings (05.09.2006)
2. Bilateral agreements with Lebanon and Spain regarding police
cooperation in 2008
3. Protocol between the Republic of Turkey and Georgia on the
Implementation of the Ninth Article of the Agreement on Combating
Terrorism, Organised Crime and Other Major Crimes between the
Republic of Turkey, Georgia and the Republic of Azerbaijan
4. Agreement on Cooperation between the European Police Office
(EUROPOL) and the Republic of Turkey
2
D. TURKEY CITIZENSHIP LAW
With these changes, foreigners who marry Turkish citizens no longer
automatically become citizens; instead, they must be married for at
least three years before requesting Turkish citizenship.
Order to prevent forced marriages, marriages of convenience and human
trafficking through fake marriages, Turkey included an amendment to
its Citizenship Law in 200320 and 2009.
E. NATIONAL ACTION PLAN
the National Action Plan related to the effective implementation of the
EU-Turkey Readmission Agreement” and “the Strategy Document and
Action Plan on Irregular Migration.
REFERENCES:
1. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2021/06/22/10-years-on-turkey-continues-its-support-for-
an-ever-growing-number-of-syrian-refugees
2. https://www.mfa.gov.tr/turkiye-on-trafficking-in-human-beings.en.mfa
3. https://en.goc.gov.tr/turkey%E2%80%99s-fight-against-human-trafficking
4. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-13746679
5. https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-trafficking-in-persons-report/turkey/
6. https://tradingeconomics.com/turkey/gdp-growth-annual#:~:text=GDP%20Annual%20Growth
%20Rate%20in,the%20first%20quarter%20of%202009.
3
4
5
