Human Rights in Turkey

Comparison Essay # 113689

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A discussion and comparison of the arrest, detention and seizure framework in Canada and Turkey.

1,018 words () | 5 sources | APA | 2009 Canada

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the sharp contrast between Canada and Turkey with regard to the civic rights of their citizenry. The author explains that the Charter of 1982 solidified those rights in Canada, by protecting citizens from unreasonable searches, unjustifiable detentions and importantly, against the possibility of law enforcement's abusing its powers. Turkey, on the other hand, has been cited for human rights abuses on countless occasions. The author explains that despite the fact that the Turkish constitution clearly prohibits arbitrary arrest, detention, search and seizure, in actuality all of the above are commonplace occurrences in Turkey. The paper concludes that it is important to recognize that the civic rights of citizens are upheld by virtually all national legislatures, but when it comes to their application, Canada applies the provisions and charter in question while Turkey does not.

From the Paper:

"The rules which govern arrest, detention and seizure in Turkey are grounded in the country's constitution. The Turkish Constitution clearly outlines the civic rights of the citizenry and outlines the limitations on police authority. As Kinzer (2002) explains, arbitrary arrests are prohibited with no statements of exception. Law enforcement must have a clear reason for arresting citizens and must establish, before a judge that the citizen in question has violated the laws of the nation and accordingly, that there are legitimate grounds for the issuance of an arrest warrant."

Sample of Sources Used:

ECHR (2003) Chamber judgement in the case of Elci and others v Turkey. European Commission of Human Rights. Retrieved 19 April 2008 from http://www.echr.coe.int/Eng/Press/2003/nov/JudgmentEl%C3%A7i&Others13112003.htm
Kinzer, S. (2002) Crescent and Star: Turkey between Two Worlds. New York: Farrar, Strauss and Giroux.
Pilant, M. (2000) Search, seizure, arrest and detention under the Charter. Government of Canada. Retrieved 19 April 2008 from http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection-R/LoPBdP/CIR/917-e.htm
Roach, K. (2000) Constitutional and Common Law Dialogues Between the Supreme Court and Canadian Legislatures. Canadian Bar Review, 80. 481.
State Department (2008) Turkey: Country Report on Human Rights Practices. Washington: U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 19 April 2008 from http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2007/100589.htm