Turkey is a party to all United Nations and Council of Europe conventions against torture and ill-treatment. All places in Turkey where persons are deprived of their liberty are open to monitoring by international mechanisms. “Zero tolerance against torture” policy is meticulously implemented since 2003.

Accordingly, our country acts in compliance with its international obligations in its fight against torture, as it does in all areas.

Statements of the spokesperson of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany published by the German Press Agency, which call on Turkey to remain committed to the Convention Against Torture, are completely groundless. Allegations by the person subject to the statement were previously investigated by the relevant Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, which decided to not further prosecute the matter. Our country thoroughly investigates all allegations of torture and ill-treatment and demonstrates, on every occasion, a transparent position on this issue.

The statute of limitations with regard to the offence of torture was fully abolished in 2013. We find it noteworthy for state authorities to take these baseless allegations seriously that aim to denigrate Turkey.