18/03/2024

Council of Europe urges Turkey to release Demirtaş and Kavala, threatens harsh measures

STRASBOURG — During its regular meeting in Strasbourg, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe evaluated Turkey’s compliance with European Court of Human Rights decisions, urging the immediate release of Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtaş from Edirne prison and political activist Osman Kavala. The Committee emphasized the importance of implementing human rights resolutions concerning political detainees.

The Committee stressed that failure to release Demirtaş, in accordance with the European Court of Human Rights ruling, could lead to temporary warning measures at the June 2024 meetings. Additionally, it called for action on the release of Osman Kavala as per the Court’s decision.

Citing concerns over Turkey’s suppression of rights, freedom of expression, and justice, the Committee warned of severe repercussions if Turkey fails to fulfill its commitments to release detainees and conduct fair investigations.

Demirtaş and Kavala were arrested in 2016 following the removal of parliamentary immunity from over 154 members, including 55 from the Peoples’ Democratic Party, with many party leaders also detained.