Judicial reform in Turkey carries high importance, says PACE President Cavusoglu

ANKARA (A.A) - January 10, 2012 - The President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Mehmet Cavusoglu, said Tuesday that judicial reform in Turkey carried high importance. Addressing Turkish parliamentarians in Turkish capital of Ankara, Cavusoglu said that efforts to reduce the number of cases against Turkey at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) should continue. One of the issues closely watched by the organs of the Council of Europe has to do with making a comprehensive constitutional reform in Turkey, Cavusoglu noted. Touching on xenophobia in Council of Europe member countries, Cavusoglu said that there has recently been an increase in the number of racist statements and remarks in various countries. We have to accept the fact that no international organization to date has been able to protect societies against economic crisis, deterioration of social security mechanisms, intolerance and violence, Cavusoglu stressed. As representatives of peoples, national and international parliaments play a leading role in this process, Cavusoglu said. Turkey will continue to be the center of attraction in its region with its reforms in democracy, human rights and supremacy of law, Cavusoglu also said.