NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS AS A HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION MECHANISM: THE CASES OF THE OMBUDSMAN AND HUMAN RIGHTS AND EQUALITY INSTITUTION OF TURKEY When the application statistics are examined by their subjects, the fact that human rights, children's rights, disability rights and women's rights are grouped under separate headings alone makes it difficult to analyze these statistics. In 2019, applications related to human rights remained at 1.12%, and those related to rights of women, children and the disability rights remained at 4.3%. It is noteworthy that the number of applications related to human rights has not followed the general increasing trend, and displayed a decreasing trend in 2019. In addition, 58% of applications made in this group are from prisoners and victims of terror and duty. Human Rights Number Percentage % Applications by prisoners 88 37,61% Terror and active duty victims 48 20,51% Right to vote and stand for election 35 14,96% Right to privacy and protection of personal data 25 10,68% Prevention of exercise of the Right to Past Information and Right to Petition 11 4,70% Right to life 11 4,70% Right to assembly and right to form an association 9 3,85% Freedom of thought, conscience, and worship 3 1,28% Other issues involving human rights 2 0,85% Elimination of all forms of discrimination 1 0,43% Personal liberty and security 1 0,43% Total 234 The majority of decisions on discrimination are related to disability rights, and an overwhelming portion of these applications is related to social benefits. Disability Rights Number Percentage % Social services and aids for persons with disabilities 305 70,11% Other issues involving disability rights 113 25,98% Persons with disabilities that need protection, care and assistance 10 2,30% Discrimination against persons with disabilities 6 1,38% Habilitation and rehabilitation services and programs 1 0,23% Total 435 Applications related to women’s rights do not display an increasing trend, and in fact, the number of these applications has decreased. Although gender discrimination is quite prevalent and systematic in our country, nine applications were made in 2019 and only two of them were related to gender discrimination. Women’s Rights Number Percentage % All forms of violence against women, honor killings, harassment and abuse 4 44,44% Gender Discrimination 2 22,22% Social services and assistance for women 1 11,11% Women that need protection, care and assistance 1 11,11% Other issues involving women’s rights 1 11,11% Total 9 66