European Parliament in Turkey on threat of deportation of ambassadors: Our stance is fearless, despite this sad development

“To stay away from steps that could lead to an even worse scenario in our relations from the difficult period we are living in the last years, a crisis that we just hoped to overcome,” he said. Turkish authorities its Foreign Affairs Committee European Parliament.

In the statement issued by the Parliament’s Permanent Rapporteur on Turkey Nacho Sanchez Amor (Socialists and Democrats) and the chairman of the EU-Turkey Parliamentary Delegation Sergei Lagordisky (Greens / European Free Alliance) as reaction to President Erdogan’s order to the Foreign Minister to declare ten ambassadors “persona non grata” for their statement on the case of businessman Osman Kavala, and broadcast by APE BPE, underline that “the measures announced by President Erdogan against 10 Ambassadors for their statement on the ongoing persecution of businessman Osman Kavala are incomprehensible and completely unfounded.”

“We can understand them,” they continue, “only as a distraction from the really urgent issues, internally and bilaterally. “It is not the Ambassadors or their governments who have decided that it is Turkey’s responsibility to release Osman Kavala.”

They then noted that “it is European Court of Human Rights ordered his immediate release in December 2019, which was subsequently repeated by six decisions and an interim resolution of the Committee of Ministers of Council of Europe. Turkey is therefore obliged to respect the decision of this Court, as it is obliged to follow similar decision for Selahattin Demirtas».

At the same time, the announcement notes that “the state of justice and guarantees fair trial are fundamental pillars of any democracy. As repeatedly emphasized by reports from the European Commission and the Council of Europe and emphasized in the European Parliament’s Annual Report, Turkey has serious deficit in those areas that need urgent correction.

These problems are dealt with comprehensive reforms, not with sanctions against those who simply demand what the European Court of Human Rights has clearly stated. It is unacceptable that there are constant attacks on critical voices and interventions in the judiciary in Turkey. It is more than unfortunate that now attempts have been made to silence criticism from abroad.

Our position on the case of Osman Kavala and the criticism of other deficits of democracy in Turkey will remain fearless despite this sad development».

According to the same announcement, “we are on the verge of a serious diplomatic crisis which can still be avoided. We call on the Turkish authorities to refrain from steps that could lead to an even worse scenario in our relations from the difficult period we have been living through in recent years, a crisis that we simply hoped to overcome. “Once again, we call on Turkey to comply with its international commitments and to abide by the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights on, inter alia, the cases of Osman Kavala and Selahattin Demirtas.”

“We urge the European Union to coordinate a joint reaction “and, while it is still possible, to encourage Turkish counterparts to de-escalate,” the statement concluded.

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