ECHR Convicts Turkey of Torturing Advocate

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) issued a verdict in the case of Gülizar Tuncer, a human rights advocate who has been subjected to police violence in 2000. 

Turkey was found guilty of violating the European Convention of Human Rights Article 3 on the ban of “ill-treatment and torture”. 

The court ordered the Turkish to pay Tuncer a sum of 13,015 euros for damages and court expenses. 

Police violence within statute of limitations 

Gülizar Tuncer, an advocate, has been detained and battered by the police on 16 September 2000 as she attended a protest by Contemporary Lawyers Association about high security prisons. 

Tuncer told bianet that they have gathered at  Galatasaray Square for a press statement when the police detained 30 advocates without a warning and by dragging them on the floor. 

After the incident she was found to have sustained several bruises and was accordingly declared unfit for work for five days. 

In 2004, following a complaint lodged by Tuncer, three police officers were convicted of employing force in excess of the limits authorized in the course of their duties.

In 2006 the Court of Cassation set aside the conviction part of the judgment on account of the entry into force of the New Criminal Code. 

In 2007 the three police officers concerned were convicted again on the same grounds. 

Finding that the statutory limitation period had expired, however, the Court of Cassation declared the proceedings statute-barred in 2009. 

In 2010, Tuncer applied to ECHR as the aforementioned policemen did not convicted of any tangible charges.  

In a letter submitted to the court, she said the policemen were left unpunished and complaint of lack of a through investigation and police violence.  

Turkey was found guilty of violating the European Convention of Human Rights Article 3 on the ban of “ill-treatment and torture”. 

The court ordered the Turkish to pay Tuncer a sum of 13,015 euros for damages and court expenses. 

Second verdict in the same protest

During the same protest where Tuncer was subjected to police violence, advocate Murat Çelik also suffered from police intervention.

On 15 Noember 2013, ECHR convicted Turkey of inflicting ill-treatment and torture, as well as not thoroughly investigating the case and violating right to organize. 

Former chair of Contemporary Lawyers Association Istanbul Branch, Çelik was awarded with 13,000 euros for non-pecuniary damages. (AS/BM)