In the show trial known as the “Kobanê trial” in Turkey against 108 people, including leading HDP politicians, the verdicts were pronounced. As expected, the defendants were sentenced to long prison terms.
The trial was political, and so is the judgement. It reveals Turkey’s attitude towards ISIS. The defendants had shown solidarity with the fight against ISIS in Rojava. The judgement is an acquittal for ISIS. Even though the coalition of AKP and MHP is decisive, the way was paved with the votes of the CHP, which agreed to lift the immunity of numerous HDP deputies.
After a retrial in the case of Osman Kavala was recently rejected, this anti-democratic judgement now follows.
The signals from Turkey in favour of a European rapprochement have now been deciphered. Unambiguous answers are now needed from Europe, above all from the European Union and the Council of Europe. Expressing concern and acting hesitantly strengthens authoritarianism. Those who want a democratic Turkey have to support the democratic forces and act now.
The judgement shows that Turkey is ignoring the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights and the resolutions of the Council of Europe and the Council of Ministers of the European Union, all of which call for the release of detainees. The EUTCC calls on the European institutions to immediately impose political sanctions out of respect for their own decisions.
EU Turkey Civic Commission www.eutcc.net Twitter: @EUTCC1 Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission
Our statement: Anti-Kurdish Policy from Turkey to Europe We call on the European Union member states not to support Turkey’s anti-Kurdish policy. Freedom of the press & international law are universal values that must be protected and defended.
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Council of Europe Congress statement on election observation mission to Turkey: “However, we regretted that, for the first time in over 120 Congress missions, one delegation member was not granted accreditation…. In line with the Council of Europe principles of democracy, rule of law and human rights, more needs to be done to ensure a political and media environment where there is genuine freedom of expression and a reasonable and well-implemented framework overseen by an independent judiciary.”
Statement by DEM Party: We urge the AKP Government to respect the will of the people of Van! We call upon all supporters of democratic principles to condemn this course of action. Respecting the will of the people is fundamental to the essence of democracy.
Our statement: Turkey has voted against AKP & Erdoğan A democratic transformation process can be initiated only if the causality between the democratisation of the country / region & a political solution to the Kurdish question is seen.
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EU Turkey Civic Commission www.eutcc.net Twitter: @EUTCC1 Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission Instagram: @EUTCC1
After the local elections on 31 March – the AKP suffered significant losses – which this gave hope for political change. Several European politicians already saw the end of the era under President Erdoğan.
But the sad fact is that only three weeks later, Turkey intensified its attacks on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in violation of international law, this happened shortly before Turkish President Erdoğan’s visit there and in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, and in parallel to German President Steinmeier’s visit to Turkey.
At the same time, the studios of the Kurdish TV stations Medya Haber and Sterk in Belgium were searched, while nine Kurdish journalists were arrested in Turkey. These attacks on press freedom are unacceptable. The Kurdish media landscape has played a key role in ensuring that opposition voices from Turkey were heard in the local elections.
Belgium has not yet drawn any conclusions from the attacks by Turkish fascists on Kurds in connection with the Newroz celebrations in March, which would be urgently needed.
We call on the European Union member states not to support Turkey’s anti-Kurdish policy. Freedom of the press and international law are universal values that must be protected and defended.
EU Turkey Civic Commission www.eutcc.net Twitter: @EUTCC1 Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission
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.
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.
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.
