Impact of the ECtHR Rulings on Turkey's Democratization: An Evaluation


Ozbudun E., Turkmen F.

HUMAN RIGHTS QUARTERLY, vol.35, no.4, pp.985-1008, 2013 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 35 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2013
  • Doi Number: 10.1353/hrq.2013.0054
  • Journal Name: HUMAN RIGHTS QUARTERLY
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.985-1008
  • Galatasaray University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Turkey has long retained the record of individual applications before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). On the other hand, the ECtHR has been playing a crucial role in the democratization of this country, as most of its rulings were followed by substantial reforms. This, however, cannot conceal a dichotomy: although the reforms reflect the political will of the government, the decisions rendered by national courts often indicate the opposite, hampering the democratization process and leaving the country with a judiciary impasse. The reasons and consequences of this phenomenon are analyzed in this essay.