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<p>We and our EU partners monitor closely the human rights situation in Turkey. The
UK supports the EU Commission’s assessment of human rights in Turkey, given in its
2014 Annual Progress Report on Turkey’s EU accession. In 2014, Turkey made progress
on its human rights reform agenda and adopted an Action Plan for the Prevention of
Human Rights Violations. Turkey also continued to build the capacity of its human
rights institutions. We welcome this progress and the continuing efforts of the Turkish
government aimed at resolving the Kurdish issue.</p><p>However, as the EU’s report
has underlined, there is still much to do to implement action plans, strengthen further
the human rights institutional framework, and bring Turkish human rights legislation
in line with European and international standards, including on rights for minority
religious and ethnic groups.</p><p>The report also highlighted areas of concern over
the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, the rule of law, and restrictions
on the freedom of expression, including temporary bans on social media imposed by
the Turkish government. We will continue to work with our EU partners and international
institutions, such as the EU and Council of Europe, to support Turkey in its continuing
reform agenda.</p>
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