Mr. Chair,

Türkiye resolutely upholds democratic values and standards, and thus, is determined to protect and promote human rights to a higher level.

In the last several years, various action plans and strategy documents on women’s empowerment as well as on the rights of children, persons with disabilities and older people have been prepared and started to be implemented.

Reform packages adopted in line with the Judicial Reform Strategy of 2019 and the Human Rights Action Plan of 2021 were instrumental in further enhancing human rights in our country.
Our institutions are currently working on the new Human Rights Action Plan for 2024-2028 and the renewed Judicial Reform Strategy.

Türkiye pledged to reinitiate its voluntary contributions to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Fund in order to increase our support for human rights in the face of current global challenges.

Mr. Chair,

Türkiye is committed to the goals of improving women’s rights, ensuring their full and equal participation in all spheres of life and strengthening their status in society.

Following the parliamentary elections held in May of last year, the ratio of women parliamentarians in the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye reached approximately 20 %, the highest level recorded in our parliament’s history.

Combating violence against women is a high priority policy for our government.

Mr. Chair,

We remain deeply concerned about the rise of xenophobia, racism various forms of discrimination and Islamophobia in the world.

In this vein, Türkiye co-sponsored resolution 78/264 on “Measures to Combat Islamophobia” this year. We are closely following its full implementation

Mr. Chair,

In the past year, the international community failed at protecting and promoting human rights, most importantly “the right to life” in Palestine.

Indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza as well as in Lebanon continue as we speak.

The International Court of Justice, the highest judicial body within the UN system, ruled that “it is plausible” that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

We reiterate our call on an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and facilitation of urgent humanitarian aid.

On Ukraine, Türkiye’s position has been clear and consistent from the outset.

We remain committed to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the protection of the civilian population.

We follow the situation of the Crimean Tatar Turks, the indigenous people of Crimea closely. Türkiye will continue to support the rights of the Crimean Tatar kinsmen to preserve their identity and to live in their historical homeland in peace and safety.

The protection of the rights and freedoms of the Uyghur Turks and other Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region remains to be an important issue on the basis of China’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. We will continue to be engaged in this regard.
Human rights violations in Myanmar, including crimes against the Rohingya continues unabated. All parties in the Rakhine state must respect international humanitarian law and human rights law.

The conditions of the Rohingya living in Myanmar continue to be a source of concern. Efforts for a viable solution to the Rohingya crisis must continue.

We are deeply concerned by the increasing erosion of respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms in Afghanistan, in particular for women and girls.

Restrictions on Afghan women and girls, coupled with dire humanitarian needs and increased levels of poverty, lead to rise in suicide rates among Afghan girls.

We will continue to stand in solidarity with the Afghan people, including Afghan women and girls.

Millions of Syrians are deprived of their most fundamental human rights as a result of the conflict that has been going on for 13 years in Syria. This is a direct outcome of the deadlock in bringing a political settlement to the conflict.

A political process in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254 should be the way ahead.

On the other hand, it is clear that PKK/PYD/ so-called “SDF” terrorist organization has devastating impact on the goals set forth in the Resolution 2254 as well as the territorial integrity and unity of Syria. This terrorist organization also continues to commit various violations and serious crimes, such as forcible recruitment and use of children, deprivation of liberty and abduction of children as well as military use of schools.

Mr. Chair,

It is only by respecting and promoting human rights that we can have sustainable, diverse and peaceful societies.

Thank you.