CERD/C/TUR/CO/3
page 5
The Committee calls upon the State party to ensure that the new article 301 of
the Penal Code is interpreted and applied in conformity with the Convention.
17.
While noting that the Penal Code includes a specific provision (article 3) prohibiting
discrimination in its application, and that also some other laws, such as the Labour Law and the
law on TV and radio broadcasting contain a specific provision prohibiting discrimination, the
Committee is concerned at the absence of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation
covering all rights protected under article 5 of the Convention (articles 1 and 5).
The Committee recommends that the State party, as a part of its ongoing
legislative reform, enact comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation covering
all rights and freedoms protected under article 5 of the Convention.
18.
The Committee is concerned at the particularly serious situation of the Greek minority,
including the training of religious personnel and unresolved questions of restitution of property
(article 5 (d)).
The Committee calls upon the State party to redress such discrimination and to
urgently take the necessary measures to reopen the Greek Orthodox theological
seminary on the island of Heybeliada, to return confiscated properties and, in
this respect, to promptly execute all relevant judgements by the European Court
of Human Rights.
19.
The Committee is concerned that many persons of Roma origin continue to experience
discrimination, particularly in the fields of education, employment and housing (art. 5 (e)).
The Committee, recalling its general recommendation No. 27 (2000) on
discrimination against Roma, recommends that the State party take special
measures to improve the situation of Roma to overcome the disadvantages
brought about by persistent discrimination, in particular in the fields of
education, employment and housing.
20.
While noting the adoption of the “Law on Foreign Language Education and Teaching,
and the Learning of Different Languages and Dialects by Turkish Citizens” and its “By-law on
Education in Different Languages and Dialects traditionally used by Turkish Citizens” of 2003,
the Committee remains concerned at the inadequate possibilities for children belonging to ethnic
groups to learn their mother tongue, in particular having regard to the information given by the
State party that schools offering private language courses have been “all been closed down by
their founders and owners due to lack of interest and non-attendance” (article 5 (e) (v)).
The Committee recommends that the State party ensure effective
implementation of the above-mentioned laws. The Committee also recommends
the State party to consider further amendments to the legislation to allow
teaching of languages traditionally used in Turkey in the general public
education system and encourages it to establish a public school network offering