HUMAN RIGHTS PROBLEMS MAY QUESTION TURKEY MEMBERSHIP IN CE

Ankara refusal to fulfill the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights may question Turkey further membership in the Council of Europe. “Arminfo” agency reports making reference to Turkish mass media there are over 150 cases concerning Turkey under consideration of the CE Committee of Ministers at present. This may contribute to additional tension in the strained relations between Turkey and CE. The European Court has totally pronounced 3000 judgements not corresponding to Turkey’s interests – 1000 of the decisions being made in the course of the last year. Besides, in accordance with these decisions, Ankara has paid over 11 million US dollars as compensation since 1995.