Türkiye Human Rights and Equality Institution (TİHEK)

Türkiye Human Rights and Equality Institution (TİHEK) is a public institution with administrative and financial autonomy, legal personality, and a special budget, affiliated with the Ministry of Justice, established by Law No. 6701 to carry out duties related to the protection and promotion of human rights, effective combat against discrimination, guaranteeing the principle of equal treatment, and implementing the national preventive mechanism against torture and ill-treatment. The institution operates to safeguard individuals against rights violations and to ensure compliance with international human rights treaties to which Türkiye is a party.

Establishment and Legal Basis

The Türkiye Human Rights and Equality Institution (TİHEK) was established by Law No. 6701, which entered into force upon publication in the Official Gazette No. 29690 on 20 April 2016. The institution was structured to protect and promote human rights, combat discrimination, torture and ill-treatment, and fulfill the functions of a national preventive mechanism. It consists of an eleven-member Human Rights and Equality Council appointed by the President of the Republic, led by a Chairperson. The Council exercises its powers and responsibilities independently.

Historical Background and International Framework

Following the Second World War, international efforts to protect human rights intensified, leading to the emergence of independent and autonomous national human rights institutions in the 1990s. In line with these developments, the Paris Principles were adopted in 1991 and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993. In Türkiye, the institutionalization of a national human rights body followed the Paris Principles, shaped by recommendations in European Union progress reports and previous structural experiences. In this context, the previously established Türkiye Human Rights Institution (TİHK) was abolished by Law No. 6701 and replaced by TİHEK.

Mandate and Powers

TİHEK’s mandate includes the protection and promotion of human rights, ensuring the right to equal treatment, preventing discrimination, and combating torture and ill-treatment. Within this scope, the institution has the authority to conduct investigations either upon application or ex officio. TİHEK is responsible for assessing, researching, deciding on, and monitoring allegations of violations of the prohibition of discrimination, breaches of the principle of equal treatment, and claims of torture or ill-treatment. Additionally, in its capacity as the national preventive mechanism, TİHEK regularly visits places where individuals are deprived of liberty, prepares reports on these visits, and submits them to relevant authorities. The institution bases its prohibition of discrimination on grounds such as gender, race, color, language, religion, belief, sect, philosophical and political opinion, ethnic origin, wealth, birth, civil status, health condition, disability, and age. TİHEK combats discrimination across both public institutions and the private sector and may impose administrative fines when necessary.

Application Procedures and Processes

Individuals and legal entities claiming to have suffered harm due to violations of the prohibition of discrimination may submit applications to TİHEK. Applications are free of charge and may be submitted through governorships in provinces or district governorships in districts. It is a prerequisite to first request corrective action from the relevant party. If this request is denied or no response is received within thirty days, an application may be submitted to the institution. However, in cases involving irreparable or impossible-to-remedy harm, this prerequisite does not apply. TİHEK cannot examine matters that fall under legislative or judicial authority or those explicitly excluded from constitutional judicial review by decisions of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors.

National Preventive Mechanism

TİHEK was designated as the national preventive mechanism under the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, as per Council of Ministers Decision No. 2013/5711. In this capacity, the institution regularly visits places such as prisons, detention centers, refugee camps, deportation centers, and similar facilities, and reports on the findings of these visits.

International Cooperation and Activities

Under Article 9 of Law No. 6701, TİHEK is tasked with monitoring and evaluating international human rights developments and cooperating with relevant organizations. In this context, cooperation agreements have been signed with human rights institutions in North Macedonia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Uzbekistan, Qatar, and Venezuela.

Educational and Awareness Activities

TİHEK conducts awareness campaigns in various areas including human rights education, public sensitization, contributing to public institution training programs, implementing joint projects with universities, children’s rights, youth activities, and academic publications. The institution also publishes specialized reports on relevant topics and monitors the implementation of international treaties to which Türkiye is a party.

Administrative Structure and Current Information

As of 2025, Professor Dr. Fahrettin Altun has been appointed as Chairperson of TİHEK. The institution’s headquarters are located in Ankara, and it maintains an office in Gaziantep. TİHEK also operates a dedicated sub-web platform for its activities concerning children.

Statistical Data

Between 2017 and 2025, a total of 13,670 applications were submitted to TİHEK. A significant portion of these applications relate to violations of the prohibition of discrimination and the national preventive mechanism. During this period, the institution conducted 357 visits. Visited locations include prisons, deportation centers, disability care centers, and hospitals.