The UN has posted the Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) for Turkey, to be conducted during the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council (September 8 – October 3, 2025).

The report reviews Turkey’s compliance with its human rights obligations.

Specifically, it includes:

• Turkey’s national presentation, referring to reforms regarding judicial independence, women’s and children’s rights, refugee protection, freedom of expression, and rule of law.
• Turkey’s responses to questions from UN member states.
• Recommendations from the previous UPR cycle.

A comprehensive list of recommendations from over 120 countries is also included, addressing:

• Judicial reform
• Gender-based violence
• Education
• Freedom of expression
• Anti-discrimination measures
• Minority rights

Greece’s Six Specific Recommendations to Ankara:

Greece called on Turkey to:

1. Comply with ECtHR rulings on inheritance and property rights, including those of descendants of the Greek minority who are not Turkish citizens.
2. Respect ECtHR decisions on human rights violations in areas of Cyprus under Turkish occupation.
3. Ensure a safe environment for media, civil society, and political parties without fear of retaliation.
4. Respect the cultural rights of the Greek Orthodox minority, including maintaining world heritage sites such as Hagia Sophia and Chora Monastery as intercultural spaces.
5. Guarantee religious freedom, including:
   • Recognizing the legal status of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
   • Reopening the Halki Theological School
   • Allowing non-Muslim communities to elect their leaders and manage their institutions
6. Address discrimination and violence against women and LGBTQI+ people and ensure minority protection.

Cyprus’ Recommendations to Turkey:

The Republic of Cyprus requested that Turkey:

1. Consider joining the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
2. Effectively investigate the fate of the missing persons in Cyprus and ensure unhindered access to the Committee on Missing Persons.
3. Fully respect the rights of all Cypriots, including the enclaved, and allow unrestricted access to Christian religious monuments.
4. Reverse its decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention.
5. Fully implement ECtHR rulings on the occupied areas, restoring the right of return and property for the displaced.

Turkey’s Response:

Turkey categorically rejected all recommendations submitted by the Republic of Cyprus, stating it:

• Does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus
• Does not accept its claims to represent the entire island

Turkey also rejected all claims related to:

• The Cyprus issue
• Minority issues within Turkey

In addition, Turkey rejected Greece’s recommendation, claiming:

“Turkey’s presence in Cyprus stems from the international treaties of 1960 and its responsibilities as a guarantor power.”

Regarding missing persons, property, religious freedom, and cultural heritage, Turkey stated these:

“Fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Turkish Cypriot authorities, who take all necessary measures.”

Wider International Reactions:

Countries including Norway, France, Canada, Portugal, Denmark, India, Germany, and Japan called on Turkey to:

• Guarantee the independence of the judiciary
• Reform the Council of Judges and Prosecutors
• Ensure separation of powers

Many countries also urged Turkey to:

• Amend its anti-terrorism legislation
• Protect journalists and human rights defenders
• Safeguard the right to peaceful assembly

Germany specifically requested:

• Strengthening the independence and impartiality of the judiciary
• Revising and aligning Turkey’s anti-terrorism laws, defamation laws, and anti-disinformation laws with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

LGBTQI+ Rights and Inclusion of Refugees:

Ireland and Uruguay recommended:

• Inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in Article 122 of the Penal Code
• Legislative protection of LGBTQI+ individuals

Eritrea and Lebanon reiterated calls to:

• Strengthen refugee integration
• Ensure access to health, education, and justice

Justice System – According to the Report:

Turkey presented:

• The “Third Judicial Reform Strategy” (2019–2023)
• The launch of the “Fourth Strategy” (2025–2029), aiming to enhance judicial independence and access to legal resources.

Turkey also highlighted:

• Cooperation with the EU and the Council of Europe on improving its criminal system
• Ongoing review of international and national court decisions for the new Human Rights Action Plan

Turkey claimed to have implemented 90% of ECtHR rulings, exceeding the European average.

Gender-Based Violence:

Turkey reaffirmed its commitment to combating violence against women, yet defended its withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, asserting it has a national legal framework to address gender-based violence.

Measures highlighted include:

• The “KADES” app in 11 languages
• A 24/7 helpline
• Training programs for offenders nationwide

Countries such as France, Spain, Belgium, Mexico, and Sweden urged Turkey to:

• Criminalize femicide and sexual violence
• Rejoin the Istanbul Convention
• Expand shelter networks
• Eliminate leniency for so-called “honor crimes”