Berlin: ‘Conviction of Kavala a disastrous message for the rule of law in Turkey’

A “catastrophic message” regarding civil society and the state of the rule of law in Turkey as a whole was spoken by government spokesman Stephen Hempstreet, referring to the sentencing of Osman Kavala by a Turkish court.

“The German government and the chancellor were shocked to learn of the decision. It is a disastrous message for Turkish civil society and for the rule of law in Turkey as a whole. “Osman Kavala and urged Turkey to implement the ruling of the European Court of Justice on his release. The government remains steadfast in this,” said Mr. Hebstraight.

Asked if the Turkish ambassador to Berlin would be summoned to the Foreign Ministry on the matter, Foreign Ministry spokesman Michael Burger said: “If such a decision is made, it will be announced, but he believes that the position of the federal government, which, as he said, “it was clearly stated”, will be taken seriously by Ankara. “This shocking decision also means continued contempt for the European Court of Human Rights and therefore the European Convention on Human Rights and has been strongly criticized by leading representatives of the Council of Europe,” Mr Burger told the European Court of Human Rights. There is already an ongoing process against Turkey – a process that Germany has essentially promoted. “With this decision, Turkey has missed a great opportunity to have a positive impact on this process. It is up to the European Court of Justice to decide whether Turkey is consistently in breach of its obligations to implement decisions. If this is the case, a Council of Europe Ministerial Committee “It will have to decide on further measures against Turkey,” he added.

Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ