Newsletter

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our current newsletter.

Kind regards

Prof. Kariane Westrheim
Chairperson



Independent Legal Mission on the Peace Process in Türkiye

The Independent Legal Mission on the Peace Process in Türkiye is an initiative established under the auspices of the European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH) and the Association for Democracy and International Law (MAF-DAD). In addition to lawyers affiliated with these organisations, the Mission was also constituted with the institutional participation of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), the Union of Italian Penal Chambers (UCPI) and Esculca.

Statement by Abdullah Öcalan on the legal framework

In a statement conveyed through the İmralı Delegation, Abdullah Öcalan said that the Kurdish-Turkish alliance must be given legal guarantees through legislative measures and added: “It is possible to live together as equals and in freedom in a democratic republic. Negative law must be transformed into positive law.”

http://mezopotamyaajansi44.com/en/ALL-NEWS/content/view/318652

bianet Male Violence Monitoring Report July 2026

Men killed at least 28 women and one child in July. Men also killed at least five men who were with the women.

BİA Media Monitoring Report 2026 – 2nd quarterly

The Media Monitoring Report shows that journalists are now widely convicted due to the news and topics they bring to the public, in proportion to the „risks“ these efforts pose in the eyes of the government.

https://bianet.org/haber/journalists-speaking-out-means-prison-and-persecution-321852

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EU Turkey Civic Commission
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Dear Exekutive Board,

Please find below our current newsletter. 

Prof. Kariane Westrheim 

Chairperson 

Our statement: No Further Delay: Right to Hope is Essential for the Success of the Peace Process 

The fact that the Gurban case was not included on the agenda for the June meeting should therefore not be interpreted as a political let-off for Turkey. The Committee of Ministers is obliged to effectively monitor and ensure compliance with the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. 

http://eutcc.net/?p=2247

Memorandum on Turkey by Commissioner for Human Rights 

I call for reforms to protect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and judicial independence and to strengthen the human rights protection.

HRW’s statement on the court decision ordering the removal of the CHP party chair and leadership

A court decision ordering the removal of the party chair and leadership of Türkiye’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), is the latest deeply damaging blow to the rule of law, democracy and human rights in Turkey. 

bianet Male Violence Monitoring Report

Men killed at least 14 women and two children in May. Men injured at least 46 women, abused at least 13 girls and boys, and harassed 18 women. 

Closure and reopening of Bilgi University 

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has issued a decree reopening İstanbul Bilgi University three days after closing it. 

EU Turkey Civic Commission

www.eutcc.net

Twitter: @EUTCC1

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Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our current newsletter.

Kind regards

Prof. Kariane Westrheim
Chairperson

EUTCC Policy Paper: International Law, Security and Peace 

The international system is undergoing a period of rising conflicts, geopolitical rivalries and growing challenges to international law. In many regions, particularly the Middle East, unresolved political disputes, military interventions and democratic deficits continue to undermine stability and peace. At the same time, the weakening of international legal norms and institutions raises fundamental questions about the future of collective security. This statement highlights these developments, with a focus on the crisis of international law, the role of dialogue in conflict resolution, such as the dialogue process between Turkey and Abdullah Öcalan, the Kurdish question as the key to peace and stability, and the importance of inclusive political solutions. It also highlights Europe’s responsibility to promote a value-based security architecture grounded in democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

http://eutcc.net/?p=2223

Rapporteurs of European institutions address an open letter on the situation of local democracy in Turkey 

“We are therefore jointly addressing you to express our shared concerns regarding recent developments affecting local democracy in your country, and how we can work together with you to overcome these.”

https://www.coe.int/en/web/congress/-/rapporteurs-of-european-institutions-address-an-open-letter-on-the-situation-of-local-democracy-in-turkiye

UN experts urge Turkey to end criminalisation of human rights defenders and lawyers 

“We urge the Government of Türkiye to fully comply with international human rights law and to ensure that its anti terrorism legislation contains a precise and narrowly tailored definition of terrorism, consistent with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and non discrimination,”

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/03/un-experts-urge-turkiye-end-criminalisation-human-rights-defenders-and

bianet Male Violence Monitoring Report April 2026

Men killed at least 28 women and a child and injured at least 40 women, abused at least 20 girls and boys, and harassed 20 women. 

https://bianet.org/haber/men-killed-28-women-in-april-319393

Submission by Michael O’Flaherty, CoE Commissioner for Human Rights, to the ECtHR in the case of Osman Kavala 

In his submission, the Commissioner outlined that the case should be considered in the context of the pressure on dissenting voices, including human rights defenders, civil society organisations, lawyers, journalists, and opposition politicians, in Turkey.

https://www.coe.int/en/web/commissioner/-/commissioner-o-flaherty-intervenes-in-the-ecthr-case-of-osman-kavala-v-t%C3%BCrkiye-no.2–

EU Turkey Civic Commission

www.eutcc.net

Twitter: @EUTCC1

Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission

Instagram: @eutcc1  

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our current newsletter.

Kind regards

Prof. Kariane Westrheim
Chairperson

Question by MEPs for written answer to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Whether and when will the VP/HR bring a proposal to the European Council to follow the precedence from the 2017 laying down of arms of the FARC and, consequently begin the process of removing the PKK from the EU’s terrorist list?

Request for the closure of the CHP

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has submitted a request to the Supreme Court to initiate proceedings for the closure of the CHP.

Statement by the parliamentary commission after the meeting with Abdullah Ocalan

The Commission will continue its determined and resolute stance toward achieving its goals in the upcoming period.

European Commission’s Turkey Report 

– Excessive judicial pressure on opposition politicians

– Highly centralised presidential system, which seriously weakened Parliament’s prerogatives & separation of powers

– Human rights situation deteriorated

EU Turkey Civic Commission

www.eutcc.net

Twitter: @EUTCC1

Facebook: Eu Turkey Civic Commission

Instagram: @eutcc1  

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please find below our current newsletter.

Kind regards

Prof. Kariane Westrheim
Chairperson

Our statement: Peace in Turkey is also Europe’s responsibility

The Kurdistan Freedom Movement held a press conference today in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and announced the withdrawal of its armed forces from Turkey. As EUTCC, we welcome this historic step by the Kurdish freedom movement. We call on Turkey to fulfil its legal and political obligations and urge the European Union and European institutions to actively support the process.

PR: Peace in Turkey is also Europe’s responsibility

Press conference by DEM Party Co-Chairs regarding the PKK’s withdrawal from Turkey

Tülay Hatimoğulları: Let history not judge us for failing to build peace when we had the chance

Tuncer Bakırhan: It is now time to move toward social peace through legal and political steps

Interview with Human Rights Association Co-Chair Eren Keskin regarding the PKK’s withdrawal

This is a very clear expression of the will for peace, it is very important. It is the state itself that needs to take a step.

Bianet male violence monitoring report October 2025

Men killed at least 22 women and three children in October. 79 women were subjected to violence.

BİA Media Monitoring 3rd Quarterly Report:

Media freedom in Turkey continues to suffer as the politicized judiciary extends arbitrary detentions and judicial control measures, using them as tools of intimidation instead of ending operations targeting journalists.

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