NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS AS A HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION MECHANISM: THE CASES OF THE OMBUDSMAN AND HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUALITY INSTITUTION OF TURKEY - Does the equality institution have the right to make public statements and produce or publish research and reports without prior permission from, approval by or notification to the government or any other institution? (ECRI GPT2, para. 30) - Is the equality institution subject to public service law and to the financial accountability and expenditure rules that apply to public authorities as an institution offering public services? (ECRI GPT2, para. 32) C- Methods of Operation Considering the matters covered by section three of the Paris Principles titled "Methods of Operation", it is possible to create these indicators on the basis of the Paris Principles, ECRI GPT2 and the Recommendation of the European Commission: - Can the equality institution freely consider any questions falling within its competence, whether they are submitted by the government or taken up by it on the proposal of its members or of any petitioner? (Paris Principles) - Can the equality institution hear any person and obtain any information or documents necessary for assessing situations falling within its competence? (Paris Principles) - Can the equality institution address public opinion directly or through any press organ, particularly in order to publicize its opinions and recommendations? (Paris Principles) - Can the equality institution meet on a regular basis and whenever necessary in the presence of all its members? (Paris Principles) - Can the equality institution establish working groups from among its members as necessary, and set up local or regional units to assist it in discharging its functions? (Paris Principles) - Does the equality institution maintain consultation with other public bodies, whether jurisdictional or administrative, responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights (in particular ombudsman and similar institutions)? (Paris Principles) - Does the equality institution develop relations with the civil society organizations devoted to promoting and protecting human rights, to economic and social development, to combating racism, to protecting particularly vulnerable groups (especially children, migrant workers, refugees and disabled persons) in view of the fundamental role played thereby in expanding its work? (Paris Principles) - Does the equality institution build a continuous dialogue not only with the CSOs representing groups experiencing discrimination and intolerance, but also with these groups? (ECRI GPT2, para. 13(b)) - Does the equality institution continuously involve CSOs in its work for the planning and execution of its activities and has it already established the structure intended for this purpose? (ECRI GPT2, para. 37) - Is the equality institution authorized to conduct on-site inspections within the scope of its authority to obtain evidence and information and apply for an enforceable court order or impose administrative fines if the information and documents requested thereby are not provided, individuals do not comply with a call 14