ABSTRACT
Turkey has been a part of both the global and European human rights regimes since their inception, and adopted some pro-human rights policies as early as the 1920s and 1930s. However, the country’s human rights record has been inconsistent, with frequent and gross violations eclipsing efforts to improve human rights. In addition to a lack of political will and the fragmented character of human rights advocacy, the main obstacles to the advancements of human rights include: authoritarian, nationalist, militaristic, patriarchal, and assimilationist values prevalent in the political culture; the tendency to uphold state security above human rights; and the fear of communism, Sharia rule, and secessionism.
