European Committee's annual report for Turkey highlights flaws in spheres of protecting civil rights and ensuring freedom of expression. Despite certain progress, the rights of Kurdish population, national minorities and women continue to be restricted, says the report published on Wednesday, October 14. The document reflects the results of surveys conducted by the recommendation of Turkish Government. 39% of female respondents reported being subjected to violence, and 15% confessed to being victims of sexual assault, AFP agency reports.

As a positive example, the report focuses on cases against several high-ranking Turkish servicemen who plotted a government coup. Court proceeding against alleged "putchists" is the first case in Turkey's history, says the document. Authors of the report also stress that Turkish servicemen "continue misusing their political influence" in the country. Thus, high-ranking officers have several times made their own statements on policy and attitude towards Kurds, religious minorities and a number of other political problems, Reuters reports.

Release further says that Turkey started its EU process in 2005. Certain member states of the Union, particularly France, are against the Islamic country's membership. Christian Party Bloc in Germany also holds a negative stance on the issue and offers "privileged partnership" as an alternative. Germany's Free Democratic Party does not actually object to Turkey's becoming an EU member, however, their leaders believe the country does not yet have relevant prerequisites, DW-WORLD.DE reports.