On Thursday 21 February, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service denounced the latest judicial decisions taken in Turkey.
“The detention of journalists, members of parliament, human rights defenders and academics, often without indictment, for exercising a personal and professional right to free expression, is not in line with Turkey’s obligations”, she warned in a statement.
“Systematic delays, detentions on the basis of insufficient evidence, and criminal proceedings against persons exercising their fundamental right to freedom of expression and assembly, cast serious doubts as to whether the principle of the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial in the judicial process in Turkey”, are being respected, she added.
According to the spokesperson, therefore, the indictments announced on 20 February against the businessman and patron Osman Kavala – accused of “attempting to overthrow the government” for his support of the anti-Erdoğan demonstrations – and against 15 other people “raise questions about the adherence of Turkish justice to international and European standards”. “The use of the Gezi Park demonstrations in 2013 to demand life sentences lacks credibility, creates a climate of fear, and discourages peaceful assemblies”, she criticised.
The EEAS spokesperson also highlighted the sentences handed down on appeal on 18 February against 14 journalists from the Cumhuriyet newspaper. Six of them will have to return to prison and the others will be able to appeal to the Supreme Court, remaining free until then. These sentences run contrary to the principles of freedom of expression and freedom of the media, which are the cornerstones of any democratic society, she insisted. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)