ACTING RIGHTS COMMISSIONER WELCOMES TURKEY’S SIGNATURE OF EUROPEAN PROTOCOL ON ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY

9 January 2004

The following statement was issued today by acting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Bertrand Ramcharan:

The acting High Commissioner for Human Rights welcomes today’s signature by Turkey of protocol 13 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms providing for the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances, including times of conflict.

The acting High Commissioner considers the signature of the protocol an important step in Turkey’s efforts to strengthen a human rights culture. He urges the speedy ratification of the protocol.