Author: EutccAdmin

Our statement: Upcoming elections in Turkey: Neither free nor fair

In addition to identifying violations of the principle of free and fair elections in accordance with the Protocol 1, Article 3 of the Human Rights Act, it is important to draw consequences from violations. European institutions, especially the Council of Europe, need to be more proactive here.

http://eutcc.net/?p=1665

Memorandum by the Council of Europe commissioner for human rights Dunja Mijatovic

Turkey reverse a critically hostile environment for freedom of expression and for journalists, human rights defenders and civil society. 

Report by UN Syria Commission of Inquiry

Turkish aerial attacks on power plants deprived nearly one million people of water & electricity for weeks, in violation of international humanitarian law. Civilians were also killed. Such attacks may amount to war crimes.

Report by the US Department of Defense

A recent report issued by the US Department of Defense indicates that the terrorist ISIS group persists in utilizing Turkey for the transfer of funds and to facilitate support for its regional and global activities.

EU Turkey Civic Commission
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Upcoming elections in Turkey: Neither free nor fair

On March 31, local elections will be held in Turkey.

The local elections are currently making headlines due to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statement that the upcoming local elections would be his last ever. This is not very credible, especially as the deputy AKP chairman and former justice minister Bekir Bozdağ stated that he could technically run one more time if the parliament called for an early election.

Irrespective of this, irregularities can already be observed in the run-up to the elections. DEM Party filed an objection to the Supreme Election Council (YSK) regarding civilian, military, and police voters who were irregularly moved to Kurdish cities before the local elections – without success. According to the DEM Party, a total of 54,600 military, police and civilian voters moved in 33 regions. Opposition members are arrested almost daily, candidates from the DEM party in particular. According to Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) member Necdet İpekyüz, since the start of the election calendar, Turkish state television TRT News allocated 1,945 minutes to the ruling AKP, and 25 minutes to the main opposition CHP. While the DEM Party was allocated 0 minutes, 27 minutes of content was against the pro-Kurdish party.

Both against the background of experiences from previous elections – PACE reported a lack of judicial review of decisions made by the Supreme Election Council, the misuse of administrative resources and state media by incumbents, and instances of intimidation and harassment targeting opposition parties and candidates in presidential and parliamentary elections in May 2023 – and in the context of the political atmosphere, which is characterised by massive repression and an expansive, belligerent foreign policy, it is clear that the elections are neither free nor fair.

Europe must closely follow the elections. It is important that members of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe travel to Turkey from 29 March to 2 April 2024. There are also other observer delegations that can be joined.

In addition to identifying violations of the principle of free and fair elections in accordance with the Protocol 1, Article 3 of the Human Rights Act, it is important to draw consequences from violations. European institutions, especially the Council of Europe, need to be more proactive here.

EU Turkey Civic Commission
www.eutcc.net
Twitter: @EUTCC1
Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our February newsletter. 

Kind regards

Prof. Kariane Westrheim 

EUTCC Chairperson 

Our statement on CPT’s Visit to Turkey 

We call upon the Council of Europe to use all possible mechanisms to end this

lawlessness. 

http://eutcc.net/?p=1651

CPT’s Visit to Turkey 

The main objective of the visit was to examine the treatment of persons held in high-security prisons. A further focus of the visit was the situation of LGBTI and women prisoners. On the occasion of the visit, the delegation also raised with the relevant authorities certain issues related to the situation of the prisoners currently held at Imralı F-type High-Security Prison, in particular as regards their contact with the outside world. 

Report by Human Rights Watch on Abuses and Impunity in Turkish-Occupied Northern Syria 

“To the UN member States: Under the principle of universal jurisdiction and in accordance with national laws, investigate and prosecute those credibly implicated in serious crimes under international law committed in Turkish-occupied northern Syria.” 

Human Rights Watch’s Middle East Division on Turkey’s Strikes against Northern Syria 

Turkey’s Strikes Wreak Havoc on Northeast Syria – Critical Infrastructure Damaged, Millions Without Access to Essential Services

DFG February Report 

Announcing its February report, Dicle Fırat Journalists Association pointed out that 42 journalists are still imprisoned and called for “solidarity” for journalists.  

http://mezopotamyaajansi35.com/en/ALL-NEWS/content/view/234788

Kurdish Courses in Turkey 

While thousands of students applied for Kurdish elective courses, only 132 teachers were appointed in 12 years in

http://mezopotamyaajansi35.com/en/ALL-NEWS/content/view/233552 —

EU Turkey Civic Commission

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