Human Rights Violations Decrease by 70%

Jessie Lucas
September 3
6:11 PM

Human Rights violations have decreased drastically in Turkey according to the Human Rights Association. Between 1999 and 2009 rates of violations have dropped by almost 40,000. The reason for such an extreme decrease is Turkey's desire to become part of the European Union. The president of the Human Rights Association spoke proudly about the changes the government has made. He believes that if Turkey does become part of the European Union, that the Human rights violations will continue to decrease. Although he did mention that there are some groups that appose the changes such as the Republican Peoples Party and the Nationalist Movement Party. However he believes that everyone should support these changes allowing people their "fundamental rights and freedoms". Another event that was important to Turkey was that the former Justice Minister issued an apology on the death of an activist who was beaten to death in jail after having been arrested at a demonstration. This is important because it shows that Turkey is willing to admit and apologize for its mistakes.

In my personal opinion, I think that these advancements are very important for Turkey. Human rights is something that every country must adhere to and for Turkey's government to take the steps necessary to provide basic human rights to its citizens is very important. It is bothersome that there are still so many human rights violation in the country, but a seventy percent decrease in ten years is a big deal. I think that the European Union (though I admittedly don't know a whole lot about it) is important because it too has taken steps for Human Rights, being that Turkey had to work against human rights violations in order to even be considered. I don't think that anyone should be denied their rights and so for Turkey to try and change these problems and to even admit and apologize for their wrongdoings is a very important step towards a better country.

http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-185986-101-human-rights-violations-decrease-by-70-percent-report-shows.html