TURKEY: Improvement of Statement-Taking Methods and Statement-Taking Rooms in the Republic of Turkey (Twinning)

This project aimed at consolidating a functioning democratic system, including respect for the rule of law and human rights, according to an extensive constitutional reform package passed by the Turkish National Assembly in October 2001.

The project was related to two “harmonisation packages” approved by the Turkish Parliament in 2002, intending to bring penal procedures and other laws in line with the new principles of the constitution. First, the intention was to improve examinations and place these within the process of judicial investigations, in order to move towards evidence-based prosecutions. Second, it was the intention of the project to strengthen the cooperation and coordination law enforcement institutions with respect to judicial investigations.

The Turkish partner institution was the General Security Directorate within the Ministry of Interior. The German Foundation for International Legal Cooperation (IRZ) participated as EU Member State Junior Partner.