ANKARA - ''There is no systematic torture in Turkey. Our basic policy regarding torture and maltreatment is zero tolerance'', Turkish Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu said.
Aksu held a news conference on violation of human rights on Thursday.
Explaining what they have done to preserve human rights and freedoms, Aksu said, ''definition of torture and maltreatment is rearranged in laws in a way conforming international conventions. Punishments which are envisaged for these crimes are increased.''
Noting, ''we consider torture and maltreatment as a shame of humanity,'' Aksu said, ''we cannot tolerate torture and maltreatment even if it is sporadic. Thus, our motto is 'zero tolerance to torture and maltreatment'.''
''We are very uneasy because of allegations of 'systematic torture' in our country. There is no systematic torture in Turkey,'' added Aksu.
Aksu said that the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture supervises the progress made in Turkey regarding the issue. He added, ''on the contrary to some circles allege, none of the reports of the committee mention 'systematic torture'. Moreover, 13th General Report of the Committee which was published on September 10, 2003 stresses that legal framework to fight actively against the torture is completed on a large scale. Turkey now is cited as a 'model country' in the report and the word 'maltreatment' is used rather than 'torture'.''
''Similarly, progress which was made in our country to prevent torture and maltreatment takes place in 2003 Progress Report of the European Union (EU) for Turkey,'' Aksu said .
(GC-ULG) 16.09.2004