IPA Fundamental Rights – Newsletter 8

"Protective and Restorative Approaches for Children in Judicial Processes” Project Launched!

The Opening Ceremony of the Project on “Protective and Restorative Approaches for Children in Judicial Processes”, was held in Ankara on 18 November 2025.

Implemented by the Ministry of Justice and co-financed by the EU and UNICEF, the Project aims to ensure better protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of children in judicial processes, in line with international standards. The total budget of the Project is EUR 4.1 million, and its implementation period is three years.

As part of the Project, activities will be carried out to enhance institutional capacity and improve the policy framework for the administration of the juvenile justice system, strengthen cooperation mechanisms between child protection and justice systems, and develop child-sensitive execution and enforcement practices.

For detailed information, please click here.

News from IPA Fundamental Rights

Meeting on “Violation Judgments on Individual Application and Elimination of the Consequences of Violations” Held!

In the context of the Project titled “Supporting the Effective Implementation of Turkish Constitutional Court Judgments in the Field of Fundamental Rights”, implemented by the Turkish Constitutional Court and co-financed by the EU and Council of Europe, the 7th Regional Meeting on “Violation Judgments on Individual Application and Elimination of the Consequences of Violations” took place in Diyarbakır on 20-21 October 2025.

With the participation of the President of the Constitutional Court, the President of the Court of Cassation, the Chief Public Prosecutors of the Court of Cassation and the Presidency of the Council of State, presentations were delivered on the objective and subjective effects of individual application violation judgments. In addition, the case laws concerning the right to a fair trial, right to life, personal liberty and security, and respect for private life and on the right to property was assessed.

For detailed information, please click here.

Joint Sectoral Monitoring Committee Meeting on Judiciary, Fundamental Rights, Civil Society, Health and Good Governance Held!

The Joint Sectoral Monitoring Committee Meeting on judiciary, fundamental rights, civil society, health and good governance in the IPA II and IPA III periods was held on 24 November 2025. The meeting was co-chaired by the Directorate for EU Affairs and the EU Delegation to Türkiye.

The meeting was attended by the National IPA Coordinator (NIPAC) Office, the Central Finance and Contracts Unit (CFCU), the National Authorizing Officer, Audit Authority, lead/sector responsible institutions, beneficiary institutions and representatives from related international organizations.

During the meeting, the project implementation processes in the IPA Fundamental Rights sector and the achievements were discussed.

For more information on IPA Fundamental Rights Projects, please click here.

“Improving the Capacity of Lawyers and Bar Associations” (ÇABA) Project Continues!

The Project on “Improving the Capacity of Lawyers and Bar Associations on Promotion, Protection and Monitoring of Children’s Rights” (ÇABA) has been continuing its activities since 2023.

As part of the Project, training programmes for lawyers across Türkiye are organized, the Child Rights Centers are established within bar associations, and regional meetings are held. Following Aydın, Batman, Erzurum and Trabzon, the Child Rights Center became active in Adana with the Mediterranean Regional Meeting held on 11-13 December 2025.

For detailed information, please click here.

Current Developments on Fundamental Rights in the EU

Guidelines on the Protection of Minors Online Published!

The European Commission’s Communication, No. (C/2025/5519), setting out the Guidelines aimed at ensuring a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors in the online environment, was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 10 October 2025.

The Communication from the European Commission (C/2025/5519), setting out the Guidelines on measures to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors online, was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 10 October 2025.

Prepared pursuant to Article 28(4) of Regulation (EU) 2022/2065 of 19 October 2022 (the Digital Services Act), the Guidelines involves the required measures of the Commission for providers of online platforms accessible to minors.

The Guidelines include a number of precautions restricting access to the online environment in accordance with the age of service users (age assurance methods) and cover widely used social media platforms.

To review the booklet prepared by the Commission, please click here.

To access the Guidelines, please click here.

The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights Turns 25!

7 December 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of EU, which safeguards fundamental rights and freedoms in the EU.

Inspired by multiple sources, including the national laws of the member states, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the case law of the Court of Justice of the EU and the European Court of Human Rights, the Charter protects fundamental rights and freedoms under the titles of “Dignity,” “Freedoms,” “Equality,” “Solidarity,” “Citizens’ Rights,” and “Justice.”

Developments in the EU Acquis on Personal Data

The Digital Omnibus (Omnibus VII) legislative package proposal, prepared by the European Commission with an aim to simplify the EU acquis, was announced on 19 November 2025. With this proposal, the Commission seeks to clarify and streamline the rules on cybersecurity, data protection and data access, as well as artificial intelligence (AI).

The Digital Omnibus makes comprehensive amendments to the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) such as the definition of personal data, abuse of the right of access to data, the information obligations of data controllers, personal data breach notifications, special categories of data, and the use of personal data in AI systems.

The legislative package is expected to enter into force following the legislative process and its publication in the Official Journal of the EU, after being submitted to the European Parliament and the European Council for adoption.

In addition, the Commission came up with a proposal in order to ensure faster and more effective enforcement of the GDPR in large-scale and cross-border cases. In this context, Regulation (EU) 2025/2518 of 26 November 2025, laying down additional procedural rules on the enforcement of GDPR, was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 12 December 2025. The Regulation will enter into force 20 days after that date and will become applicable 15 months thereafter. It introduces new rules to support the effective functioning of the cooperation and consistency mechanism established under the GDPR.

For more information on the Digital Omnibus, please click here.

To access Regulation (EU) 2025/2518, please click here.

Recent Developments in Relations between Türkiye and the EU

Türkiye’s National Action Plan for EU Accession (2025–2028) Updated!

Türkiye’s National Action Plan for EU Accession (NAP) has been updated to cover the 2025-2028 period.

The update of the NAP, which is among the objectives outlined in the 12th Development Plan and the Presidential Annual Programme, was carried out under the coordination of the Directorate for EU Affairs, in cooperation with the relevant public institutions and organizations.

The NAP includes 147 legislative amendments and 166 administrative measures to be implemented under the headings of “Legislation” and “Institutional Set-up and Other Work” across 33 negotiation chapters. With regard to Chapter 23 on Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, 13 legislative amendments and 35 administrative measures are envisaged.

To access the NAP, please click here.

The Directorate for EU Affairs Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary!

The Directorate for EU Affairs, which is responsible for coordinating Türkiye’s efforts in the EU accession process, is celebrating its 25th anniversary!

Established on 4 July 2000 under the Law No. 4587 as the Secretariat General for EU Affairs affiliated with the Prime Ministry, the institution played a pivotal role in meeting the Copenhagen Political Criteria necessary for Türkiye’s accession to the EU.

Restructured by the Presidential Decree No. 4, published in the Official Gazette No. 30479 on 15 July 2018, the Directorate continues its activities steadfastly as an institution affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

To access the website of the Directorate, please click here.

EU Bodies Working in the Field of Fundamental Rights

Let’s Get to Know the European Institute for Gender Equality!

The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), established by Council Regulation (EC) No. 1922/2006 of 20 December 2006, is an independent EU agency headquartered in Lithuania.

The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), established by the Regulation (EC) No. 1922/2006 of 20 December 2006, is an independent EU agency located in Lithuania.

The objective of EIGE is to contribute to the mainstreaming of equality between women and men across all EU and member state policies, to fight against gender-based discrimination, and to raise awareness on this issue.

Among its tasks are collecting and analyzing data on equality between women and men and providing technical support and expertise to the European Commission, the European Parliament, EU member states, and candidate countries.

EIGE has been publishing Gender Equality Indexes since 2013. These indexes are important in demonstrating the extent to which equality between women and men has been achieved in the EU and in identifying areas requiring improvement. The Index for 2025 was presented on 2 December 2025.

To access the Agency’s website, please click here.

Social Media

The IPA Fundamental Rights Family Is Growing!

Our IPA Fundamental Rights Instagram account has reached to 2,000 followers!

Alongside our efforts to protect and promote fundamental rights and freedoms, we will keep you updated on the latest developments from the EU.

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