Rıza Türmen
Encyclopedia
Rıza Türmen is a former judge of the European Court of Human Rights
and currently an MP for Izmir
in the Turkish Parliament, with the CHP
party.
He graduated from Istanbul University
law faculty in 1964. He took a Masters degree in at McGill University
, Montreal, before doing his doctorate at Ankara University
faculty of political science.
He has held various positions at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
, which he joined in 1966.
In 1978, he was appointed Turkey’s representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization
. He was ambassador to Singapore
in 1985.
From 1989 to 1994 he worked in Ankara as the Director General responsible for the Council of Europe
, United Nations
, OSCE and human rights.
From 1995 to 1996 he was ambassador to Switzerland at Bern.
From 1996 to 1997 he was the Permanent Representative
of Turkey to the Council of Europe
.
From 1998 to 2008 he was the Turkish judge for the European Court of Human Rights.
He is married to Dr Tomris Türmen. They have one daughter.
Since his retirement he has written a column for the Turkish newspaper Milliyet
.
He is also known as a campaigner for the independence of the judiciary in Turkey.
European Court of Human Rights
The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg is a supra-national court established by the European Convention on Human Rights and hears complaints that a contracting state has violated the human rights enshrined in the Convention and its protocols. Complaints can be brought by individuals or...
and currently an MP for Izmir
Izmir
Izmir is a large metropolis in the western extremity of Anatolia. The metropolitan area in the entire Izmir Province had a population of 3.35 million as of 2010, making the city third most populous in Turkey...
in the Turkish Parliament, with the CHP
Republican People's Party (Turkey)
The Republican People's Party is a centre-left Kemalist political party in Turkey. It is the oldest political party of Turkey and is currently Main Opposition in the Grand National Assembly. The Republican People's Party describes itself as "a modern social-democratic party, which is faithful to...
party.
He graduated from Istanbul University
Istanbul University
Istanbul University is a Turkish university located in Istanbul. The main campus is adjacent to Beyazıt Square.- Synopsis :A madrasa, a religious school, was established sometime in the 15th century after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople. An institution of higher education named the...
law faculty in 1964. He took a Masters degree in at McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
, Montreal, before doing his doctorate at Ankara University
Ankara University
Ankara University is a public university in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey. It was the first higher education institution founded in the Turkish Republic....
faculty of political science.
He has held various positions at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Turkey)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a government ministry office of the Republic of Turkey, responsible for foreign affairs in Turkey. Professor Ahmet Davutoğlu is current Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, appointed on May 1, 2009....
, which he joined in 1966.
In 1978, he was appointed Turkey’s representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization
International Civil Aviation Organization
The International Civil Aviation Organization , pronounced , , is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth...
. He was ambassador to Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
in 1985.
From 1989 to 1994 he worked in Ankara as the Director General responsible for the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
, United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, OSCE and human rights.
From 1995 to 1996 he was ambassador to Switzerland at Bern.
From 1996 to 1997 he was the Permanent Representative
Permanent Representative
A Permanent Representative is the head of a diplomatic mission to one of various international organisations. The best known of the organisations to which states send Permanent Representatives is the United Nations; of these, the most high-profile ones are those assigned to headquarters in New...
of Turkey to the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...
.
From 1998 to 2008 he was the Turkish judge for the European Court of Human Rights.
He is married to Dr Tomris Türmen. They have one daughter.
Since his retirement he has written a column for the Turkish newspaper Milliyet
Milliyet
Milliyet is a major Turkish daily newspaper founded in 1950.-History:Milliyet came to publishing life at the Nuri Akça press in Babıali, Istanbul as a daily private newspaper on 3 May 1950...
.
He is also known as a campaigner for the independence of the judiciary in Turkey.
Awards
- Turkish Bar Association Lawyer of the Year, 2009
- Middle East Technical University Distinguished Service Award, 2009
- Turkish Journalists Association Freedom of the Press Award, 2009
Articles and publications
- "Contemporary issues in human rights", Perceptions, Journal of International Affairs, 1997
- "On multiculturalism", Perceptions, Journal of International Affairs, 1998-1999