Turkey: EU Spokesperson Statement on Human Rights and the Gezi Park Trial

A trial against 16 civil society representatives over their involvement in 2013 Gezi Park protests started in Turkey last week. Among them are human rights defenders Osman Kavala and Yiğit Aksakoğlu, who have been kept in detention since November 2017 and November 2018 respectively, together with many civil society activists. The court’s decision to release Yiğit Aksakoğlu pending trial is positive news. However, the EU calls for the release without delay also of Osman Kavala for the remaining period of their trial. As the European Union repeatedly said, the decision to indict participants of the 2013 Gezi Park protests and to seek life sentences in a source of concern; it also contributes to creating a climate of fear and to discourage the right to peaceful assembly. Read more here.

Source: Delegation of the EU to Turkey