09/11/2023
It is with deep regret that the Venice Commission announces the death of Professor Ergun Özbudun, former and long-lasting member of the Venice Commission (1990-2014).
Mr Özbudun was a renowned expert of constitutional law and has a significant record in teaching and publishing. He held teaching and researching chairs of constitutional law at Ankara University (1959-1994), Bilkent University (1994-2012) and Istanbul Şehir University (2011-2014). Apart from his work in Türkiye , he was a researcher at Harvard University (1963-1966, 1971-1973), and taught at Chicago University (1973),... read more
28/05/2023
Ankara - A representative of the Venice Commission accompanied the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) election observation delegation to advise on the legal framework of the 2nd tour of the presidential election of 28 May 2023 in Türkiye.
The delegation observed the opening, voting and counting processes of the election.
14/05/2023
Ankara - Representatives of the Venice Commission accompanied the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) election observation delegation to advise on the legal framework of the presidential and parliamentary elections of 14 May 2023 in Türkiye.
The delegation observed the opening, voting and counting processes of the elections.
11/01/2023 - 12/01/2023
Ankara - The Ombudsman institution of Türkiye organised an international conference on “The future of human rights in the 21st century”. Representatives of more than 30 countries took part in the event.
A representative of the Venice Commission delivered a speech on “the Ombudsman institution of the 21st century, the Venice Principles’ perspective”.
07/10/2022
Strasbourg, Council of Europe – Today the Venice Commission issued its Urgent Joint Opinion on the draft amendments to the Penal Code of Türkiye regarding the provision on “false or misleading information”. This Urgent Opinion was prepared jointly with the Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law (DGI).
The Commission concluded that the draft criminal provision on “false or misleading information” interferes with freedom of expression (Article 10 ECHR).
The Urgent Opinion will be submitted for endorsement by the forthcoming plenary session of the Commission (... read more
26/09/2022 - 27/09/2022
In the framework of the preparation of the draft Urgent Joint Opinion of the Venice Commission and the Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law (DGI) on the draft amendments to the Turkish Penal Code regarding the provision on “false or misleading information”, the rapporteurs and the experts met online with the representatives of the major political parties and other stakeholders.
The Urgent Joint Opinion will be issued on 7 October 2022. It will be submitted for endorsement at the 132nd Plenary session of the Commission (21-22 October 2022).
10/05/2022
Ankara - In the framework of the preparation of the opinion on the revised electoral legislation, a delegation of the Venice Commission held meetings with the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Election Board, the political parties represented in Parliament, the Union of Turkish Bar Associations and civil society.
The draft opinion will be submitted for adoption at the forthcoming plenary session of the Venice Commission (17-18 June 2022).
24/04/2022 - 28/04/2022
Ankara – the President Emeritus, Special Representative of the Venice Commission, Mr Gianni Buquicchio, participated in the ceremony devoted to the 60th anniversary of the Constitutional Court of Turkey.
On this occasion the Court held a symposium entitled “Interpretation of the constitution in the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms”. Mr Buquicchio delivered a speech on the “Comparative constitutional interpretation as a means to promote democracy, the protection of human rights and the rule of law”.
01/04/2022
The PACE Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by members States of the Council of Europe requested an opinion of the Venice Commission on the latest amendments to the electoral law in Turkey.
The opinion will be submitted for discussion and adoption at the 131st Plenary Session of the Commission (17-18 June 2022).
04/05/2021 - 05/05/2021
At its meeting on 27 January 2021, the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights decided to request a Venice Commission opinion on the compatibility with international human rights standards of Law no. 7262 on the Prevention of Financing of the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction recently passed by Turkey’s National Assembly, amending, inter alia, the Law on Associations (No. 2860) and Law on Aid Collection (No. 5253).
Following this request, the rapporteurs held virtual meetings with the five parliamentary groups.
The draft opinion will be submitted for adopt... read more
22/02/2021
At its meeting on 27 January 2021, the PACE Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, on proposal of its Rapporteur on “Restrictions on NGO activities in Council of Europe member States”, Ms Alexandra Louis (France, ALDE), decided to ask the Venice Commission for an opinion on the compatibility with international human rights standards of Law no. 7262 on the Prevention of Financing of the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction recently passed by Turkey’s National Assembly, amending, inter alia, the Law on Associations (No. 2860) and Law on Aid Collection (No. 5253).
The dr... read more
04/09/2020
In the framework of the preparation of the draft opinion on the amendments to the Law on Bar associations of Turkey, the Commission organised a series of meetings online with the Turkish authorities and other stakeholders on 4, 9 and 10 September 2020.
The adoption of the draft opinion is planned for the October 2020 plenary session.
TURKEY - Request for opinion by the PACE
05/06/2020
At its meeting by videoconference on 27 May 2020, the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee) decided to request an opinion of the Venice Commission on the draft law on Bar Associations of Turkey.
06/02/2020 - 07/02/2020
Ankara - In the framework of the preparation of the opinion regarding the replacement of elected candidates and mayors, the Venice Commission delegation participated in a series of meetings in Ankara, on 6 and 7 February 2020.
This opinion will be discussed at the March 2020 Plenary session of the Commission (20-21 March 2020).
Turkey - Request for opinion - Congress
17/12/2019
Strasbourg – The Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities requested an opinion of the Venice Commission on the decisions regarding elected mayors taken after the 31 March 2019 elections in the south-east of Turkey.
23/09/2019 - 24/09/2019
Istanbul - The Venice Commission participated in a conference organised by the Constitutional Court of Turkey and the Council of Europe - DGI. The topic of the event was “Review and way forward for the individual application system, seven years on”.
Mr Gianni Buquicchio, the President of the Venice Commission, made an opening presentation.
15/11/2018 - 16/11/2018
Ankara – a joint delegation of the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR visited Turkey in the framework of the preparation of the opinion on the amendments to the electoral legislation and related “harmonisation laws” adopted in March and April 2018.
The delegation held meetings with the representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Board of Elections, the parties represented in Parliament, the Union of Bar Associations and the NGOs.
The request for this opinion came from the PACE Monitoring Committee. The adoption of the relevant draft opinion by the Venice C... read more
23/06/2018 - 24/06/2018
Ankara - A delegation of the Venice Commission accompanied the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) election observation delegation to advise on the legal framework of the early presidential election and parliamentary elections of 24 June 2018.
The 35-member PACE delegation observed the opening, voting and counting processes of the presidential elections.
13/06/2018
By letter dated 4 May 2018 the Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by member States of the Council of Europe requested the Venice Commission to provide an opinion on the amendments to the electoral legislation and related “harmonisation laws” adopted in March and April 2018 in Turkey.
The Venice Commission prepared an opinion after the parliamentary elections in Turkey planned on 24 June 2018.
25/04/2018 - 26/04/2018
Ankara – The President of the Venice Commission participated in the International Conference on “The role of Constitutional Courts in the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms” at the occasion of the 56th anniversary of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Turkey.
Turkey - CHP leader to meet with the President of the Venice Commission
08/11/2017
Council of Europe, Strasbourg - During his visit to Strasbourg in the framework of the World Democracy Forum, Mr Kılıçdaroğlu, the CHP leader, is to hold a meeting with the Venice Commission’s President Mr Gianni Buquicchio.
10/03/2017
Venice – The 110th plenary of the Venice Commission has just adopted its Opinion on the constitutional amendments submitted to a national referendum on 16 April 2017. This opinion had been requested by the Monitoring Committee of the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly.
First of all, the Commission warns against a “personal regime” in Turkey in its definitive, as discussed and adopted in plenary, text of the opinion.
The Commission notes that by removing necessary checks and balances, the amendments would not follow the model of a democratic presidential system... read more
20/02/2017 - 21/02/2017
Ankara – a delegation of the Venice Commission exchanged views with Turkish authorities, on the recent constitutional amendments. This visit took place in the framework of the preparation of an opinion on the amendments, requested by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
The draft opinion will be discussed by the Venice Commission in plenary in March 2017.
19/12/2016
Paris - During its meeting in Paris on 14 December 2016, the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe decided to request an opinion of the Venice Commission on the draft law on the amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey.
Turkey - request for an opinion on the measures provided in the recent emergency decree-laws with respect to the freedom of the media.
02/12/2016
At the request of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of PACE, the Venice Commission will prepare an opinion on the effects on the freedom of the media of the recent measures taken within the state of emergency. The opinion will be presented at the March 2017 Plenary Session in Venice.
03/11/2016 - 04/11/2016
Ankara - following a request submitted in October by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, a group of rapporteurs of the Venice Commission, accompanied by Secretary Thomas Markert, will visit Ankara in order to meet the local stakeholders and discuss with them emergency decrees adopted after the failed coup attempt. The opinion will be then drafted and submitted for adoption at the December 2016 plenary session of the Venice Commission.
27/09/2016
Tirana - During its meeting of 22 September 2016, the Monitoring Committee of the
Parliamentary Assembly requested the Venice Commission to provide an opinion on “the overall compatibility of the implementation of the state of emergency in Turkey, in particular all subsequent decree-laws, with the Council of Europe standards.”
19/09/2016
Ankara - A delegation of the Venice Commission visits Turkey in the framework of the preparation of an opinion on “suspension, by a provisional clause, of article 83 of the Constitution of Turkey, which guarantees the parliamentary inviolability of members of the Grand National Assembly”.
The delegation is composed as follows:
- Jasna Omejec, member (Croatia),
- Dan Meridor, member (Israel),
- Thomas Markert, Director, Secretary of the Venice Commission,
- Schnutz Rudolf Durr, Head of the Constitutional Justice Division, Ve... read more
18/07/2016
I strongly condemn the attempted coup d’état in Turkey; any changes in the government must follow democratic channels.
At the same time, I am alarmed by the Turkish media reports: since the failed coup, two judges of the Constitutional Court and five members of the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors have been arrested. More than 2700 judges have been suspended and many have been detained. I am convinced that especially while reacting to a violent attempt to overthrow an elected government, it is essential to respect the rule of law.
Mass dismissals and arrests of j... read more
Request for opinion - PACE - Turkey
22/06/2016
On 22 June 2016 the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted Resolution no. 2121 (2016) on “The functioning of democratic institutions in Turkey”, whereby the PACE requested an opinion of the Venice Commission on the draft law on the restructuring of the Court of Cassation and Council of State of Turkey and on the constitutional aspects of the appointments of members of high judicial bodies in this country (§35). An opinion will be prepared with a view of its submission for adoption at the next Plenary Session of the Venice Commission in October 2016.
Request for opinion - Turkey
26/05/2016
Paris - on 23 May 2016, the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly decided to request the opinion of the Venice Commission on the duties, competences and functioning of the criminal peace judgeships established in 2014 in Turkey.
26/04/2016 - 27/04/2016
Ankara - In the framework of a recent request of the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly, the Venice Commission is preparing an opinion, to be adopted in June 2016, on the legal framework for the imposition of curfews in Turkey. The rapporteurs visited Ankara on 26-27 April to exchange views with the relevant authorities - Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, under Secretariat of Public Order and Security, the Constitutional Court – as well as with the representatives of political parties and of the civil society.
The delegation of the Commission is as follow... read more
Turkey - Constitutional Justice
25/04/2016 - 26/04/2016
Ankara - The President of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio participated in the event marking the 54th anniversary of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Turkey.
19/04/2016 - 20/04/2016
Ankara – In the framework of the preparation of an opinion on the regulation of publications on the internet and combating crimes committed by means of such publication, a delegation of the Venice Commission visited Turkey on 19-20 April 2016.
The delegation met with the representatives of the following Turkish authorities: the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications, the Telecommunication Communication Presidency, the Union of Access Providers, the Court of Cassation, the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor’s Office, Peace... read more
PACE – Request for opinion – Turkey
15/03/2016
Paris – During its meeting in Paris on 9 March 2016, the Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly decided to request the opinion of the Venice Commission on the compatibility of the legal framework governing curfews in Turkey with Council of Europe standards.
13/01/2016 - 14/01/2016
Ankara – A delegation of the Venice Commission visited Ankara in the framework of the preparation of an Opinion on Articles 216, 299, 301 and 314 of the Turkish Penal Code.
Turkey - 90th anniversary of Ankara University Faculty of Law - International law congress
03/11/2015
Ankara - The President of the Commission is invited to the International law congress on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of Ankara Faculty of Law. Mr Buquicchio intervenes on the standards on judicial independence and their relevance for Turkey.
Turkey - Parliamentary elections - Legal assistance to the observation mission of the PACE
31/10/2015 - 02/11/2015
Ankara - At the request of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the Venice Commission ensures legal assistance to the Election Observation Mission of the Assembly in the context of the parliamentary elections of 1 November 2015.
20/06/2015
On 20 June 2015, the Venice Commission adopted the enclosed "Declaration on Interference with Judicial Independence in Turkey".
Turkey - Parliamentary elections - Legal assistance to the observation mission of the PACE
05/06/2015 - 08/06/2015
Ankara - At the request of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the Venice Commission ensures legal assistance to the Election Observation Mission of the Assembly in the context of the parliamentary elections of 7 June 2015.
Turkey - Towards a new constitution - Judicial independence, decentralised governance, methodology.
22/01/2015 - 22/01/2015
Ankara - The Venice Commission organised together with the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) a Roundtable meeting “Towards a new Constitution: Judicial independence, decentralised governance, methodology”. The President of the Venice Commission, Gianni Buquicchio, and the Secretary of the Venice Commission, Thomas Markert, participated in the Roundtable.
Turkey - Individual Application and Protection of Human Rights at national level
27/11/2014 - 28/11/2014
Antalya -The Directorate of Human Rights of the Council of Europe and the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Turkey are organising from 27 to 28 November an International Conference on “Individual Application to Constitutional Court as a System to Protect Human Rights at National Level” within the framework of the Council of Europe Project funded by the Human Rights Trust Fund on “Supporting the Individual Application to the Constitutional Court in Turkey”. The President of the VEnice Commission Gianni BUQUICCHIO participates in the conference.
28/05/2014
Council of Europe, Strasbourg – The President of the Venice Commission Mr Gianni Buquicchio met with the Minister of Justice Mr Bekir Bozdağ. An exchange of views on the current situation regarding the judiciary in Turkey took place.
Turkey – symposium on the rule of law
08/05/2014 - 09/05/2014
Istanbul - Participation of Venice Commission representative in a Symposium on “The Rule of Law and Justice”, organised by Yüksel Karkin Küçük Attorney Partnership
30/04/2014
Istanbul - “When attending the Conference of Asian Constitutional Courts in Istanbul I was informed about statements by representatives of the executive harshly criticising the Constitutional Court of Turkey. This Court plays a crucial role to uphold the core values of the Council of Europe: the rule of law, democracy and human rights. Recent decisions of the Court have made an important contribution to strengthening the independence of the judiciary and freedom of expression in Turkey. Through these decisions the Court has shown its ability to effectively fulfil its constitutional role as an... read more
Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions
28/04/2014 - 30/04/2014
Istanbul - 2nd Congress of the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions.
Turkey – President Buquicchio meets Minister Çavuşoğlu
08/04/2014
Council of Europe, Strasbourg – President of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio meets Turkish Minister for European Affairs and Chief Negotiator with the EU Mr Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu to discuss recent developments in Turkey and future cooperation with the Venice Commission.
Turkey - Legal entities of non-Muslims: problems and rights - international conference
30/01/2014
Istanbul, Bilgi Üniversitesi Dolapdere Campus – Participation of Mr Christopher Grabenwarter, Austrian member of the Venice Commission, in a conference on “Legal entities of non-Muslims: problems and rights” organised by Istanbul Bilgi University.
14/01/2014
Council of Europe, Strasbourg - I was asked about the position of the Venice Commission on the proposed amendments to the Turkish legislation on the judiciary and in particular on the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors.
First of all, I would like to underline that the Venice Commission has not seen and even less, examined this text. However, we are aware that serious concerns have been raised as to the compatibility of the amendments with international standards and the Turkish Constitution. By contrast, the current legislation, introduced only a few years ago, was positively ... read more
Turkey - Conference on Institutionalisation and Sustainability of Democracy
27/11/2013
Istanbul – The Secretary of the Venice Commission Thomas Markert addresses a conference on Institutionalisation and Sustainability of Democracy organised by the Istanbul Policy Centre (at Sabanci University) and by TÜSİAD
Constitutional Justice - Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions
24/04/2013
Ankara - preparatory meeting of the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions.
Turkey - EU Joint parliamentary committee
14/02/2013 - 15/02/2013
Ankara, Grand National Assembly of Turkey – President of the Venice Commission Gianni BUQUICCHIO is invited to address the Turkey - EU Joint parliamentary committee on the topic of the “New Constitution in the framework of Fundamental Rights and Freedom”.
25/04/2012 - 26/04/2012
Ankara - The Venice Commission will participate in the Symposium on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Constitutional Court of Turkey.
Turkey - Reforms of the judicial system - Symposium
25/10/2011 - 26/10/2011
Istanbul - The Venice Commission participated in a Symposium on the "Reforms in the Turkish judicial system, High Council of Judges and Prosecutors from past to present and its comparison to European Practice".
07/09/2011
Ankara - A delegation of the Venice Commission held meetings with the Constitutional Court, the Council of State, the Court of Cassation and the Ministry of Justice in view of the preparation of an opinion on the Law on the Constitutional Court.
Istanbul - Conference of the OSCE/ODIHR - Venice Commission Guidelines on Political Party Regulation
05/09/2011 - 06/09/2011
Representatives of the Venice Commission participate in a Conference on the OSCE/ODIHR - Venice Commission Guidelines on Political Party Regulation, followed by a meeting of experts on political parties, organised by OSCE/ODIHR.
Constitutional Justice
30/06/2011 - 01/07/2011
Ankara - 10th meeting of the Joint Council on Constitutional Justice
09/11/2009 - 11/11/2009
Istanbul, Ankara - A Delegation of the Venice Commission visits Turkey in connection with the forthcoming Opinion on the recognition of the legal personality of religious communities in Turkey. The Delegation meets representatives of religious communities, including the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, and representatives of the Turkish authorities.
01/10/2009 - 02/10/2009
Ankara - The Venice Commission organised, in co-operation with the Constitutional Court of Turkey, the 4th Conference of Secretaries General of Constitutional Courts
Seminar on "Constitutional courts, state of law and the process of economic reforms" (Istanbul)
22/05/1998 - 23/05/1998
UniDem Conference "Constitution making as an instrument of democratic transition" (Istanbul)
08/10/1992 - 10/10/1992