Newsletter September 2024

Our statement: CoM failed to push Turkey to implement the ECHR judgment 

We urge the Committee of Ministers to put pressure on Turkey to implement the demands – a review mechanism for everyone in the light of the standard set out by the ECHR and the adoption of legislative measures to secure a mechanism with the possibility of release – urgently and to use all available mechanisms for this. 

http://eutcc.net/?p=1802

Press conference of layers regarding Mr. Öcalan’s solitary confinement 

More than 1500 lawyers worldwide have sent a letter to the Turkish Justice Ministry regarding the restriction of Mr. Abdullah Öcalan’s right of access to his llawyers and submitted their application for a meeting with him.

https://barreaubruxelles.be/uploads/documents/Press-Conference-Brussels_16.09.2024_v2-006.pdf

Report by UN Syria Commission of Inquiry 

The United Nations Syria Commission of Inquiry published its new report. It is noted that Turkey continued to target civilian settlements in Northern & Eastern Syria.

https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/iici-syria/report-coi-syria-september2024

World Peace Day

On World Peace Day, let’s keep doing all we can to encourage more peace, democracy and freedom in the world. 

In the context of Turkey, we will continue to work for a political solution to the Kurdish question and a democratisation of the country & thus the region.


EU Turkey Civic Commission
www.eutcc.net
Twitter: @EUTCC1
Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission
Instagram: @eutcc1

PR: CoM failed to push Turkey to implement the ECHR judgment 

At its 1507th meeting on 17-19 September 2024, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe dealt with Turkey’s implementation of the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights with regard to aggravated life imprisonment. 

The Committee recalled the violation judgements of the ECHR on aggravated life imprisonment in 2014. It expressed deep concern that no progress has been achieved to this end and strongly urged the authorities to take the necessary measures without further delay. The Committee decided to resume its examination at its September 2025 meeting, and in view of the long standing nature of the issue and lack of progress revealed by the available information, instructed the Secretariat to prepare a draft interim resolution for its consideration, if no concrete progress allowing for a more positive assessment has been achieved by then. 

This decision is completely inadequate. Turkey has once again refused to implement the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights. This should have had immediate consequences, especially in order to emphasise the value/status of its own institution, the ECHR and the CPT. 

Turkey has been given the de facto green light to continue the total isolation on the prison island of İmralı, where Kurdish political leader Abdullah Öcalan is also being held. For more than three years, there has been no access to the detainees there. 

The continuation of isolation deepens the conflicts and wars in the region and prevents the urgently needed democratisation of Turkey. Peace requires dialogue with Mr. Öcalan. 

We urge the Committee of Ministers to put pressure on Turkey to implement the demands – a review mechanism for everyone in the light of the standard set out by the ECHR and the adoption of legislative measures to secure a mechanism with the possibility of release – urgently and to use all available mechanisms for this. 


EU Turkey Civic Commission
www.eutcc.net
Twitter: @EUTCC1
Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission
Instagram: @eutcc1

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Download: PS

Newsletter August 2024

Turkey: Kurdish Songs and Dances Are Not Terrorist Propaganda

Statement by Emma Sinclair-Webb, Associate Director and Turkey Director of Human Rights Watch

Turning Kurdish wedding parties into crime scenes by arresting and prosecuting guests and musicians is only the latest example of how for decades the Turkish authorities have perverted the criminal justice system to target legitimate activities and political expression by Kurds.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/08/15/turkiye-kurdish-songs-and-dances-are-not-terrorist-propaganda

Male Violence Monitoring Report August 2024

Men killed at least 27 women and 6 children in August. 

https://bianet.org/haber/men-killed-27-women-in-august-299309

Turkish drone terror in Northern Syria and Kurdistan Region of Iraq continues

The global threat of Islamist terrorism is increasing. The Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria is an important entity in the fight against this. Turkish drone terror is weakening the region and paving the way for the resurgence of ISIS. Immediate sanctions from the international community are needed here. 

International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances

Today marks the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. We remember the thousands who have been forcibly disappeared in Turkey. We call for clarity about their whereabouts and for accountability of those responsible.

World Peace Day 

On World Peace Day, let’s keep doing all we can to encourage more peace, democracy and freedom in the world. 

In the context of Turkey, we will continue to work for a political solution to the Kurdish question and a democratisation of the country and thus the region.


EU Turkey Civic Commission
www.eutcc.net
Twitter: @EUTCC1
Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission
Instagram: @eutcc1

Newsletter August 2024

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our current newsletter.

Kind regards

Prof. Kariane Westrheim
Chairperson

Turkey: Kurdish Songs and Dances Are Not Terrorist Propaganda

Statement by Emma Sinclair-Webb, Associate Director and Turkey Director of Human Rights Watch

https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/08/15/turkiye-kurdish-songs-and-dances-are-not-terrorist-propaganda

Male Violence Monitoring Report August 2024

Men killed at least 27 women and 6 children in August. 

https://bianet.org/haber/men-killed-27-women-in-august-299309

Turkish drone terror in Northern Syria and Kurdistan Region of Iraq continues

The global threat of Islamist terrorism is increasing. The Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria is an important entity in the fight against this. Turkish drone terror is weakening the region and paving the way for the resurgence of ISIS. Immediate sanctions from the international community are needed here. 

International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances

Today marks the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. We remember the thousands who have been forcibly disappeared in Turkey. We call for clarity about their whereabouts and for accountability of those responsible.

World Peace Day 

On World Peace Day, let’s keep doing all we can to encourage more peace, democracy and freedom in the world. 

In the context of Turkey, we will continue to work for a political solution to the Kurdish question and a democratisation of the country and thus the region.


EU Turkey Civic Commission
www.eutcc.net
Twitter: @EUTCC1
Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission
Instagram: @eutcc1

Newsletter July 2024

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our current newsletter.

Kind regards

Dersim Dağdeviren
EUTCC board member

Nobel Laureates for Mr. Öcalan’s Freedom & Negotiations 

69 Nobel Laureates address the Committee of Ministers of the CoE, the ECtHR, the CPT & the UN Human Rights Committee and call for Abdullah Öcalan’s isolation conditions to be lifted, his release and renewed peace negotiations between Turkey and the PKK

http://eutcc.net/?p=1743

Statement: Turkey’s anti-Kurdish war escalation 

The EUTCC condemns Turkey’s anti-Kurdish war escalation and calls for an end to the invasion policy that violates international law, an immediate package of measures against Turkey’s expansionist foreign policy and an immediate visit by the CPT to the prison island of İmralı. 

http://eutcc.net/?p=1740

Human Rights Watch Submission to the United Nations Committee Against Torture on Turkey 

The Committee should ask the state party to supply detailed information about the steps it is taking to halt acts of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment committed by its military forces and intelligence personnel, together with affiliated local militias, that constitute not only human rights violations but potential war crimes and ensure that all individuals under its control, including military personnel and armed groups, adhere to international human rights law and humanitarian law, in particular the absolute prohibition on torture and inhuman and degrading treatment.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/07/15/human-rights-watch-submission-united-nations-committee-against-torture-turkiye


EU Turkey Civic Commission
www.eutcc.net
Twitter: @EUTCC1
Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission
Instagram: @eutcc1