European Parliament: Turkey’s serious setback on fundamental freedoms

MEPs visited Ankara and Istanbul on February 22-24 to discuss the human rights situation in Turkey and the rule of law.

During her three-day visit to Ankara and Istanbul, a delegation of members of the Subcommittee on Human Rights met with representatives of the Turkish government, members of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, as well as leaders of the opposition with a communication from the European Parliament. MEPs looked at the recent steps taken by the Turkish government, which affect the rule of law and fundamental freedoms. They also raised issues of refugee rights and the protection of migrants.

During the visit, MEPs said: “Turkey has made a serious setback to fundamental freedoms and continues to erode the rule of law, contrary to what is expected of an EU candidate country. civil society, the lack of independence of the judiciary, measures to silence critical voices, including academics, opposition to gender equality and the suppression of opposition parties, are just a few examples of the alarming human rights situation. in the country”. According to MEPs: “This situation has unfortunately affected Turkey’s international commitments to promote and protect human rights, especially after the withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention on Violence against Women and the refusal to comply with the European Court of Justice. Human Rights Commission (ECtHR) on the cases of Osman Kavala and Selahattin Demirta, despite the country’s participation in the European Convention on Human Rights. ”

“We welcome Turkey ‘s willingness to co – operate with the EU. Turkey’s recent accession to various EU programs, such as ERASMUS +, the Research and Innovation Program and the European Solidarity Corps, is in itself a welcome development. The EU’s offer to develop a positive agenda is accompanied by clear conditions, a position strongly supported by the European Parliament. is diametrically opposed to EU principles and values ​​”.

Members also stressed that human rights and the rule of law must remain at the heart of the EU ‘s priorities in relations with Turkey.

During the visit, the delegation examined the situation of refugees in Turkey with representatives of international organizations, national authorities, non-governmental organizations and host communities. In addition, members visited EU-funded projects under the EU Refugee Facility in Turkey (FRiT), where refugees participate in recognized apprenticeships to facilitate their formal employment. Finally, the delegation met with refugees from Syria and other countries, as well as with representatives of the host communities.

The MEPs further stated: “We are impressed by the Turkish people, the active involvement of local authorities and civil society organizations, with the support of the EU, in providing protection and assistance to Syrian refugees and their efforts to integrate into Turkish society. “This is a growing challenge for Turkey, which we must take into account.” Concerns remain, however, about access to registration and assistance to vulnerable refugees from countries such as Afghanistan and Iran, with MEPs stressing the need to provide support for more accessible and comprehensive refugee protection in this situation.

In the run-up to the Turkish general election campaign in 2023, MEPs have also expressed concern about the pressure exerted by the political narrative calling for the return of refugees to Syria, saying the conditions for their return are not mature. “We reiterate that in order to protect the refugees, they themselves must make this decision voluntarily, freely, with dignity and full information.”

The delegation of the European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights was headed by Maria Arena (Socialists, Belgium). Also in attendance were Isabel Wiseler-Lima (EPP, Luxembourg), Nacho Sánchez Amor (Socialists, Spain), Gheorghe-Vlad Nistor (EPP, Romania), Katalin Cseh (Renew Europe, Hungary), Dietmar Köineke (Germany) and Strik (Greens, The Netherlands).