A Study of Turkey's Attempts to Fulfill the EU Accession Requirements in the Fields of Human Rights, Police Cooperation and Human Rights Training for the Police

Abstract

During the history of Turkey-EU relations, there have been many milestones and histoıic events. There have been several internal changes within EU. The EU now gives priority to human rights and democratisation issues in their intemal relationships. Thus for the candidate members, the prior requirement is respect for human rights and democratisation. The more the EU enlarges, the more problems will emerge. The EU does not want the new candidates to create problems for the Union. A high inflation and unemployment rate in a common market economy will create problems which will affect all member states. Minimum standards must be met for an effective deepening process in the future. Thus Turkey, to become a part of Europe, and also to meet the requirements of a global market, must not only solve its economic problems but must also resolve its problematic issues on human rights and democratisation. Reforms suppoıting the realisation of democratisation should be accelerated. The EU should observe impartiality towards Turkey. Financial aid in the form of donations (similar to Greece, Spain and Portugal) should be provided. Double standards should be avoided. The decisions taken at the Helsinki Summit created a calm atmosphere in Turkey. Further steps should now be taken. In this study, I have tried to identify the Turkey-EU government's efforts and the progress achieved in accordance with the National Programme. As the nation's law enforcement officials, Police Cooperation is vital for the implementation of human rights. Hence, the European Police Organisation and its history, police and human rights in Turkey, and the significant role of 'education' in human rights in the accession period, will be discussed. 'Police Cooperation', both in the Political Criteria and Cooperation in the Justice and Home Affairs sections of the National Programme, will be analysed. This study entitled 'Turkey' s Attempts to Fulfill The EU Accession Requirements In The Fields Of Human Rights And Human Rights Training For The Police' elaborates the approach of the European Union and Turkey to the concept of human rights and attempts to display the common and differing viewpoints.