NGO Law Monitor: Turkey

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Last updated 4 April 2012

Introduction

Turkey has a vibrant civil society with civil society organizations (CSOs) working in numerous areas. Since officially becoming an EU candidate country in 2003, Turkey has implemented a series of reforms that promote democratization, including reforms to its basic framework laws affecting civil society. Turkey still operates, however, under the 1982 Constitution, which was written immediately following a military coup; although there are basic guarantees of rights and freedoms, the Constitution is not up to the standards found in developed democracies. The state still has a dominant influence over society.

Up until 2004, when a new Associations Law was enacted in Turkey, the autonomy of the Turkish CSOs was fairly restricted. The new Law was viewed positively by both civil society and the EU. It lifted some of the limitations on civil society. Listed below are some of the key improvements contained in the Law (see TUSEV’s website (www.tusev.org.tr)):

Associations are no longer required to obtain prior authorization for foreign funding, partnerships or activities.
Associations are no longer required to inform local government officials of the day/time/location of general assembly meetings and no longer required to invite a government official/commissary to general assembly meetings.
Audit officials must give 24 hour prior notice and just cause for random audits.
Associations are permitted to open representative offices in other countries.
Security forces no longer allowed on the premises of associations without a court order.
Specific provisions and restrictions for student associations have been entirely removed.
Children from the age of 15 can form children’s associations.
Standards relating to internal audits have been improved to ensure accountability of members and management.
Associations are able to form temporary platforms/initiatives to pursue common objectives.

Subsequently, in 2008, Turkey adopted a Foundations Law, which further improved the legal environment. Today Turkish CSOs are more active than they have ever been before and are more aware of the deficiencies within the law that limit their activities. Future reforms are both necessary and inevitable.

At a Glance

Organizational Forms	Associations	Foundations
Registration Body	Ministry of Interior, Department of Associations	The courts, with possible review made by the General Directorate of Foundations
Barriers to Entry	At least 7 founders required to establish association. Executive board of at least 5 people required. Board must have Turkish majority. Foreigners can be members of board provided they reside in Turkey.	Minimum capital of 50,000 Turkish lira (approx.35, 000 USD) required to establish foudnation.
Barriers to Activities	Standard annual reporting forms considered cumbersome and time consuming. Required to complete standard forms before receiving or using foreign funding or opening new branch offices.	Standard annual reporting forms considered cumbersome and time consuming. Required to complete standard forms before receiving or using foreign funding or opening new branch offices.
Barriers to Speech and/or Advocacy	Prohibition against directly engaging in “political” activities.	Prohibition against directly engaging in “political” activities.
Barriers to International Contact	Required to notify Government when receiving grant from international organization.	Required to notify Government when receiving grant from international organization.
Barriers to Resources	Required to notify Government before using foreign funding.	Required to notify Government within one month of receiving foreign funding.

Key Indicators

Population	76, 805, 524
Capital	Ankara
Type of Government	Republican Parliamentary Democracy
Life Expectancy at Birth	Male: 70.12 years Female: 73.89 years
Literacy Rate	Male: 95.3% Female: 79.6%
Religious Groups	Muslim(mostly Sunni): 99.8%; other(mostly Christians and Jews: 0.2%
Ethnic Groups	Turkish: 70-75%; Kurdish: 18%; other minorities: 7-12% (2008 est.)
GDP per capita	$12,200 (2009 est.)

Source: The World Factbook. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2009.

International Rankings

Ranking Body	Rank	Ranking Scale (best – worst possible)
UN Human Development Index	79	1 – 182
World Bank Rule of Law Index	55.5	100 – 0
World Bank Voice & Accountability Index	41.8	100 – 0
Transparency International	61	1 – 180
Freedom House: Freedom in the World	Status: Partly Free Political Rights: 3 Civil Liberties:3	Free/Partly Free/Not Free 1 – 7 1 – 7
Foreign Policy: Failed States Index	Rank: 85 Human Rights: 6.0	177 – 1 0-10

Legal Snapshot

International and Regional Human Rights Agreements

Key International Agreements	Ratification*	Year
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)	Yes	2003
Optional Protocol to ICCPR (ICCPR-OP1)	Yes	2006
International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)	Yes	2003
Optional Protocol to ICESCR (OP-ICESCR)	No	--
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD)	Yes	2002
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)	Yes	1985
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women	Yes	2002
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)	Yes	1995
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (ICRMW)	Yes	2004
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)	Yes	2009

* Category includes ratification, accession, or succession to the treaty

Constitutional Framework

The Constitution was adopted in 1982, immediately following a military coup. Although the Constitution is sometimes criticized for its lack of democratic principles, it still guarantees basic rights and freedoms. Relevant articles include:

Article 22: Everyone has the right to freedom of communication.
Article 25: Everyone has the right to freedom of thought and opinion.
Article 26: Everyone has the right to express and disseminate his thoughts and opinions by speech, in writing or in pictures or through other media, individually and collectively.
Article 33: Everyone has the right to form associations, or become a member of an association, or withdraw from membership without prior permission.
No one shall be compelled to become or remain a member of an association.
Freedom of association may only be restricted by law on the grounds of protecting national security and public order, or prevention of crime, or protecting public morals, public health.
The formalities, conditions, and procedures governing the exercise of freedom of association shall be prescribed by law.
Associations may be dissolved or suspended from activity by the decision of a judge in cases prescribed by law. In cases where delay endangers national security or public order and in cases where it is necessary to prevent the perpetration or the continuation of a crime or to effect apprehension, an authority designated by law may be vested with power to suspend the association from activity. The decision of this authority shall be submitted for the approval of the judge in charge within twenty-four hours. Unless the judge declares a decision within forty-eight hours, this administrative decision shall be annulled automatically.
Provisions of the first paragraph shall not prevent imposition of restrictions on the rights of armed forces and security forces officials and civil servants to the extent that the duties of civil servants so require.
The provisions of this article are also applicable to foundations.
Article 34: Everyone has the right to hold unarmed and peaceful meetings and demonstration marches without prior permission.
Article 35: Everyone has the right to property and inheritance.

National Laws and Regulations Affecting Sector

Relevant national laws include the following:

Law 5253: Associations Law
Law 5737: Foundations Law
Law 4721: Civil Code
Associations: Articles 56-100
Foundations: Article 101-117
Law 2860: Law on Collection of Donations
Law 2911: Law on Demonstrations
Law 4962: Tax Exemption for Foundations
Income Tax Law
Corporate Tax Law
Property Tax law
VAT Law

Pending NGO Legislative / Regulatory Initiatives

There are no pending legislative or regulatory initiatives.

Legal Analysis

Organizational Forms

There are two legal forms of CSOs in Turkey: associations and foundations. Article 33 of the Constitution grants the right to form these entities. These organizations must be not-for-profit establishments. Article 56 of the Civil Code states: “An association is defined as a society formed by unity of at least seven real persons or legal entities for realization of a common object other than sharing of profit by collecting information and performing studies for such purpose.” Article 101 of the Civil Code defines foundations as “charity groups in the status of a legal entity formed by real persons or legal entities dedicating their private property and rights for public use.”

Associations are registered with the Department of Associations under the Ministry of Interior. Although many associations believe that the registration process is being handled according to the law, they still claim that the process is slow and cumbersome at times. All associations have to form a general assembly, an executive board consisting of five individuals, and an auditing committee of three persons.

Foundations are established and registered through a court decree. The court may ask the General Directorate of Foundations to review each application. Foundations only need form an administrative body. Additionally, foundations must have a minimum capital of 50.000 Turkish Liras (app. 35.000 USD).

Public Benefit Status

The law in Turkey provides for public benefit status for CSOs, but only a very limited number of organizations have been granted public benefit status. To illustrate: Out of more than 84,000 registered associations, only about 420 are recognized as public benefit organizations.

Article 27 of the Associations Law grants authority to the Council of Ministers to determine which CSOs can be granted this status. Article 20 of Law 4962 provides the legal basis for tax exemptions of those foundations that are granted public benefit status.

Associations and foundations seeking public benefit status must secure the approval of the Council of Ministers. Upon receiving an application for public benefit status, the Council of Ministers must determine whether or not the activities of the CSO actually benefit the general public and are not intended to serve any one particular group. Since the law does not provide a clear definition of what activities constitute “public benefit”, the decision-making process is subject to discretion of the Council. Unsurprisingly, decisions are sometimes perceived as being highly political. However, there are specific minimum requirements in the law which CSOs must meet; for instance, foundations must spend more than two-thirds and associations more than half of their revenue toward their mission.

Barriers to Entry

All Turkish citizens can establish or be a member of associations. Some restrictions are applicable, however, to military and security personnel, judges and attorneys working under the Ministry of Justice and some other government officials working within designated ministries. In addition, only foreigners with a residence permit are permitted to found or join an association in Turkey.

In general, if the regulations are satisfied, NGOs will not be refused registration. Article 56 states that “No association may be formed for an object contrary to the laws and ethics.” Article 101 of the Civil Code states that “Formation of a foundation contrary to the characteristics of the Republic defined by the Constitution, Constitutional rules, laws, ethics, national integrity and national interest, or with the aim of supporting a distinctive race or community, is restricted.” Moreover, the required content of the association by-laws is overly detailed.

The Foundations Law sets a minimum capital requirement of 50.000 Turkish Liras (app. 35.000 USD) in order to establish a foundation. Although there is no minimum requirement for founders or members for foundations, at least seven founders are required to form an association. Additionally, associations are required to form an executive board made up of at least five people, while foundations are only “encouraged” to do so. Foreigners can be members of boards as long as they reside in Turkey. However, the executive board must still have a Turkish majority.

According to implementing regulations for the Associations Law, associations seeking office space within residential buildings must secure the permission of all residents living in the building – a requirement that is burdensome at best, and in some cases practically impossible. The failure to secure office space may prove a barrier to the process of registration for associations.

In order to form a federation or a confederation, the Associations Law requires a minimum of 5 and 3 organizations, respectively, to come together. Problematically, however, the law requires that member organizations must have the “same purpose”, which is unnecessarily limiting.

Barriers to Operational Activity

In general, Turkish CSOs are free to operate and are free from government harassment such as frequent inspections, requests for documentation, etc. Government officials are prohibited from attending meetings and CSOs can hold internal meetings free from external pressure. CSOs are not required to inform the government about their programs and projects.

There are, however, some standard forms that CSOs must complete each year which can be cumbersome and time consuming for some organizations. Specifically, associations and foundations must complete annual statements which are submitted either to the Interior Ministry, Department of Associations or to the General Directorate of Foundations. Additionally, CSOs must complete standard forms before receiving and/or utilizing foreign funding and opening new branches or offices.

In addition, CSOs frequently are fined for “improper” record keeping. More disturbingly, Article 33 of the Associations Law holds the chair of the executive board of the association responsible – i.e., personally liable – for any sanctions and/or fines assessed against the association.

Foreign organizations are subjected to serious bureaucratic rules when opening a branch office in Turkey.

If a CSO becomes involved in an illegal activity, the organization can be terminated by a court order. Organizations that violate the law can be terminated only with a court order.

Barriers to Speech / Advocacy

CSOs are prohibited from directly engaging in political activities, although the term “political” is nowhere defined in the law. However, many CSOs work to influence public policy in their related field, and are therefore involved in public policy debate. Nonetheless, the government-CSO relationship is weak. CSOs struggle to have substantial influence in the formation of public policy. The most recent EU Progress Report on Turkey highlights the reluctance of the Government to work with CSOs on the reform agenda. It is difficult for NGOs to gain access to parliamentary committees. Additionally, the Department of Associations and the General Directorate of Foundations, the two government organs in charge of relations with CSOs, do not have strong ties with the sector and there are no rules setting the standard for such relationships.

Furthermore, some human rights organizations complain about the law-suits brought against them, which they interpret as harassment. A survey under the Civil Society Index Project (CSI) revealed that 63% of respondents (stakeholders within civil society) perceived that the state exerts some limitations on the advocacy activities of CSOs. Although Turkey has taken serious steps toward creating a more enabling environment for CSOs, there remains a culture of state control and domination over civil society.

Barriers to International Contact

There are no restrictions for Turkish CSOs to operate in other countries. But when receiving a grant from an international organization, CSOs must notify the appropriate government office. International CSOs operating in Turkey must receive permission from the Government prior to starting their activity.

Barriers to Resources

Foreign Funding

There are no limitations on foreign funding, but there is a notification requirement relating to foreign funding. Foundations must notify public authorities within one month after receiving the funding, while associations must notify the Government before using the funding.

Domestic Funding

There are no special government programs providing funding for CSOs. Local authorities and municipalities provide more funding then the central government. There are no clear laws or regulations governing public funding for CSOs.

Both associations and foundations can engage directly in economic activities, establish and/or become partners in economic enterprises or companies. Although CSO income is not generally subject to corporate tax, the income from economic activities is taxable.

Donors to public benefit organizations can claim a tax deduction of up to 5% of their taxable income.

Reports

UN Universal Periodic Review Reports	Not available
Reports of UN Special Rapporteurs	Turkey
USIG (United States International Grantmaking) Country Notes	Not available
U.S. State Department	2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Turkey Advancing Freedom and Democracy Reports, 2009: Turkey
Failed States Index Reports	Foreign Policy: Failed States Index 2009
IMF Country Reports	Turkey and the IMF
TUSEV	Civil Society Monitoring Report 2011
International Center for Not-for-Profit Law Online Library	Turkey

News and Additional Resources

While we aim to maintain information that is as current as possible, we realize that situations can rapidly change. If you are aware of any additional information or inaccuracies on this page, please keep us informed; write to ICNL at ngomonitor@icnl.org.

General News

Turkish civil society "far behind" Europe and weak in the country's eastern region (March 2012)
A report outlining the current state of Turkish civil society has indicated that it is far behind European average both in terms of numbers and diversity, leaving one of the essential pillars of the democracy weak. For example, the total number of civil society institutions in Turkey is only 153,800. In the United Kingdom, which has fewer people than Turkey, there are 873,000 organizations along with 800,000 in France. In addition, some 75 percent of all civil society institutions in Turkey are situated in the major cities in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. (Read more)

Turkey's arrests of trade unionists continues in lead up to International Women's Day (March 2012)
On February 13, 15 women leaders and activists preparing for International Women's Day (March 8) were arrested and taken into custody. Under the pretext of terrorism charges their houses and offices were raided and searched. On February 16, the women were charged with being members of an illegal organization. Nine of the 15 women were held in provisional detention and the other six released. Twenty-seven members of the Confederation of Public Employees' Unions (KESK) are currently detained due to their trade union activities.

Turkey sentences 25 trade unionists to prison terms for belonging to "illegal" Kurdish organization (January 2012)
Turkey issued prison sentences on 25 Turkish trade unionists from the teacher union Egitim Sen and the Confederation of Public Employees' Unions (KESK). The 25 trade unionists were among 31 unionists charged since November 2009 for allegedly belonging to an "illegal" Kurdish organization. They were labeled as "terrorists" based on their possession of books that can be found in any bookstore in Turkey, their participation in union meetings, and other activities which are unrelated to criminal activity. The International Centre for Trade Union Rights (ICTUR) expressed "significant concerns regarding the procedural aspects of the prosecution, both in terms of delay, and the failure of the prosecution to shape the evidence given to it by the police into any meaningful set of allegations or charges". The ICTUR believes that freedom of association in Turkey is being severely undermined because the prosecution failed to specifically detail its case against the defendants.

Appeal on mass arrests of human rights activists (October 2011)
Several waves of mass arrests took place this month in Turkey targeting Human rights’ activists. Yakay - der and Mothers for Peace’s representatives, associations members of the Euro-Mediterranean Federation Against Enforced Disappearances (FEMED) are now in custody: Cemal Bektas, President of Yakay-der and brother of a disappeared, Kemal Aydin, Yakay-der’s spokesperson, Selahattin Tekin, member of Yakay-der’s Board council and Nahide Ormanci member of the Mothers for Peace. The full text of the Appeal is here.

European Union critical of human rights in Turkey (October 2011)
The European Union's annual progress report on Turkey's bid to join its ranks, criticized Ankara over freedom of expression and treatment of its minorities. But Ankara has rejected the criticism and is voicing increasing frustration over what its sees as more prejudice on the part of Brussels. Rising tensions could come to a head over the island of Cyprus. (Read more)

Turkey civil society monitoring report published (September 2011)
Starting from 2011, TUSEV will publish a yearly civil society monitoring report which provides an in-depth analysis and recommendations under four main dimensions that are in line with TUSEV’s programme areas (civil society law reform, international relations, institutional capacity and research). With this report, TUSEV aims to specify the problems and needs of civil society and raise awareness about these issues among key stakeholders and carry out advocacy efforts to create a more enabling environment for civil society organizations. Read the Report here.

Clinton urges Turkey to uphold rights, press freedom (July 2011)
During her visit to Istanbul on 15 and 16 July, Clinton expressed her country's support for Turkey in its fight against terrorism and praised its role in the region. However, she called on Ankara to address Western concerns over human rights and media freedom. "If there is an area that I am concerned about with recent actions, it is the area of freedom of expression and freedom of the media," Clinton said, quoted by the daily Hürriyet. "I do not think it is necessary or in Turkey's interests to be cracking down on journalists and bloggers and the Internet," she added. (Read more)

Turkey’s civil society organizations increase by 44 percent in 10 years (June 2011)
The number of civil society organizations in Turkey has increased by 44 percent in the past 10 years, thanks to eased procedures to start an organization and raised awareness.Democratic reforms on laws encouraged Turks to develop a more positive stance towards civil society organizations, which play an important role in producing solutions to political, humanitarian, social and educational problems. Being more aware of such organizations and their roles in society, Turks show a greater interest in NGOs.Prior to 2003, NGOs were launched through the National Police Department, which also supervised the organizations’ activities. With an amendment to a related law, governors’ offices were given responsibility over NGOs, while the procedures to establish a civil society organization became much easier.There were 60,931 NGOs in 2000 and 88,210 in 2011. A total of 7,385,538 individuals are currently members of these NGOs. (Read more)

Europe's Neighborhood: Can Turkey Inspire? (May 2011)
Since the Arab Spring dawned, Turkey’s potential value as an inspiration for and facilitator of reform in the Middle East and North Africa has been a heated topic of discussion. Turkish civil society — which has played an important role in Turkey’s transformation — may be able to play a more consistent and active role than official Ankara in helping neighbors along the long-term path of building a culture of democracy. For this to materialize, there is a need for synergy between Turkish and European counterparts, as well as an informed demand from Turkey’s respective neighbors. The continuation of Turkey’s Europeanization journey will also be important for Turkey’s far-reaching contribution to positive change in the joint neighborhood of Turkey and the EU.

OSCE report finds Turkey is holding 57 journalists in prison (April 2011)
The International Press Institute (IPI) today obtained a report from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) indicating that Turkey is currently holding at least 57 journalists in prison – apparently more than any other country. The report followed an analysis of more than 70 journalists the OSCE conducted in conjunction with Erol Önderoğlu, editor-in-chief of the BIANET Independent Communications Network in Istanbul.

Human Rights Watch slams journalists' arrests in Turkey (March 2010)
Recent arrests of journalists in Turkey will have a "chilling effect" on free speech, Human Rights Watch said on Saturday, and urged the European Union candidate nation to demonstrate commitment to press freedom.Authorities say the arrests were part of an investigation into an alleged plot to overthrow Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's AK Party government. But critics say the case is being used to hound them, and the EU and the United States have expressed concern about press freedoms and democracy in Turkey. (Read more)

Activists prosecuted for criticising the judges (February 2011)
The head of a rights organization, Kaya, journalist Karahasanoğlu from Vakit newspaper and Kenan Kıran are standing trial for criticizing judicial decisions. Kaya claimed that freedom of criticism also included "disturbing statements" according to decisions of the ECHR. (Read more)

EU raises concern about press freedom, politics in Turkey (November 2010)
The EU criticised Turkey on Tuesday (November 9th) for the growing political pressure on the media and restrictions on freedom of expression. "Concerns remain in regards to political attacks against the press," the EU Commission said in its 2010 Progress Report on the country, released on Tuesday. (Read more)

FIDH supports joint declaration of its member organizations in Turkey and Armenia (April 2010)
Declaration by FIDH member organisations in Armenia and in Turkey. We strongly believe that the protection of human rights throughout Turkey and the South Caucasus is key in the process of peace-building, reconciliation and good neighbourly relations between all countries in the region, in order to ensure the safety, wellbeing and dignity of people across borders. (Read more)

Amnesty International criticizes judicial harassment of LGBT association (January 2010)
Amnesty International has written to the government expressing its opposition to civil proceedings brought by the Izmir public prosecutor to close the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) association, Black Pink Triangle. (Read more)

NGOs unite to demand say in human rights bill (November 2009)
Turkey’s new human rights bill has a flaw – not a single rights group was consulted in the drafting. With protests building up against this lapse, 41 non-government organisations (NGOs), representing various ethnic, religious, sexual and other minorities, have formed the Anti-Discriminatory Coalition and served the government a Nov. 26 deadline to make rectification. The coalition has warned, in a statement, that it is prepared to take all necessary steps to expose the ‘illegitimate’ character of the new measures and move to create a fully legal anti-discrimination centre on behalf of citizens. (Read more)

Civicus

Armenian and Turkish Civil Society Come Together (April 2010)
On 8 April, Counterpart International Armenia and the Third Sector Foundation of Turkey (TUSEV) convened a highly significant workshop as part of the Cross Border Cooperation Initiative, supported by USAID and the Black Sea Trust. During the meeting, representatives from both countries came together within the framework of the CIVICUS Civil Society Index project to discuss and reflect upon the findings within each other’s countries. Participants also took the opportunity to identify similarities, differences and areas for possible collaboration.

Amnesty International

Turkey: Summary of Amnesty International’s Concerns in Turkey, July to December 2009 (March 2010)
In this document Amnesty International highlights its concerns in Turkey between June and December 2009. These include freedom of association; human rights defenders; prosecution of children; deaths in custody; prison conditions; impunity, the rights of refugees and conscientious objection. (Read more)

Turkey Critized for Closing Pro-Kurdish Political Party (December 2009)
Amnesty International has expressed its concern that a court in Turkey has shut down a pro-Kurdish political party under laws that fail to meet international standards. The 11 judges of the Constitutional Court ruled unanimously in favour of closing down the Democratic Society Party (DTP) on Friday.The court also ruled that 37 DTP members be banned from politics for five years. Among those banned were the DTP co-chair Ahmet Türk MP, Aysel Tugluk, MP for Diyarbakir, and four elected regional mayors. (Read more)

The foregoing information was collected by the ICNL NGO Law Monitor partner in Turkey, TUSEV.