UNITED NATIONS CERD International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination Distr. GENERAL CERD/C/TUR/CO/3 24 March 2009 Original: ENGLISH COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION Seventy-fourth session 16 February – 6 March 2009 CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 9 OF THE CONVENTION Concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination TURKEY 1. The Committee considered the combined initial to third periodic reports of Turkey submitted as one document (CERD/C/TUR/3), at its 1914th and 1915th meetings (CERD/C/SR.1914 and CERD/C/SR.1915), held on 23 and 24 February 2009. At its 1927th meeting (CERD/C/SR.1927) held on 4 March 2009, it adopted the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the report which was elaborated in conformity with the Committee’s reporting guidelines. It expresses appreciation for the written replies to the list of issues, provided in a timely manner prior to the session, and welcomes the opportunity to be able to initiate an open and constructive dialogue with the State party. B. Positive aspects 3. The Committee welcomes the extensive legislative reform carried out by the State party with a view to integrating human rights standards into national legislation, including through amendments to the Constitution and the adoption of the Civil Code, the Penal Code, the Law on GE.09-41283