The Council of Europe Programme Office was established in April 2004, since when it has been implementing various projects and programmes, especially in the judicial area, /jüdışıl/ which support Turkey in fulfilling Council of Europe standards in the field of human rights, rule of law, and democracy.
Turkey is one of the longest-standing members of the Council of Europe. It is party to the Council of Europe’s major human rights treaties, including the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Social Charter.
Turkey, the Council of Europe and the European Union work together through the programmes implemented by the Office, in co-operation with relevant national institutions, and with their invaluable support, to strengthen the capacities of the Turkish authorities and to improve the application of European standards at the national level.
Through such co-operation projects, the European Union and the Council of Europe facilitate the transfer of knowledge and skills to the national level and pay special attention to ensure local ownership and sustainability.
The Ankara Programme Office currently runs 5 projects, three of which are co-financed with the EU in the framework of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA)
1.Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights Education
2.Strengthening the Coordination of Anti-Corruption Policies and Practices in Turkey
3.Strengthening the Capacity of Turkish Judiciary on Freedom of Expression
one of which is financed by the Human Rights Trust Fund (HRTF)
*Supporting the Individual Application to the Constitutional Court of Turkey
and one of which is financed principally by a voluntary contribution from Sweden
*Developing Mediation Practices in Civil Disputes in Turkey
