Council of Europe sets deadline for Ankara to release politician Selahattin Demirtaş and philanthropist Osman Kavala

STRASBOURG — The Council of Europe Ministers Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the decisions of European Court of Human Rights, announced that it is still waiting for Ankara to implement the Court’s decision that Democratic Peoples’ Party (Halkların Demokratik Partisi, HDP) politician Selahattin Demirtaş be released while he awaits trial. If it doesn’t not submit a plan to the Committee by 30 September, they will begin infringement proceedings against Turkey.

A lawyer specializing in human rights issues, Banan Molo, stated that the Committee demanded the release of Demirtaş and philanthropist Osman Kavala. The Committee had previously called for Kavala’s release.

The European Court of Human Rights ordered Demirtaş released by 22 June. So far, there has been no indication that Ankara plans on adhering to the Court’s decision.