Sir, - I would like to refer to the letter by Ms Niamh Brennan published on October 9th, regarding human rights in Turkey. Ms Niamh Brennan (regional coordinator, Amnesty International, Irish Section) is wrong in claiming that nothing has been done in Turkey to improve human rights or safeguard detainees in the last few years.
Turkey's Constitution and laws have been revised several times. In 1993, new legislation was approved specifically on judicial procedures for persons in detention. A wide range of changes was made to other laws last year, and currently the Government is considering legislation to abolish the death penalty, and further reforms.
Ms Brennan refers to cases such as the death of a journalist while in police custody this year. This is correct, but she surely owes it to your readers to mention that criminal proceedings are under way against the policemen allegedly responsible and that they have already faced the strongest possible disciplinary sanctions. - Yours, etc.,
Second Secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, Dublin.