Heike Geisweid, co-chair of the Cologne Association for Democracy and International Law (MAF-DAD), sharply criticized Turkey for failing to implement the now final judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on Abdullah Öcalan, Selahattin Demirtaş, and other Kurdish politicians. She called on European states to “go beyond diplomatic warnings and use political and economic pressure mechanisms.”
Speaking to ANF, Geisweid pointed out Turkey’s unlawful stance, saying: “The case law of the ECtHR is very clear on this issue. We now have legally binding decisions.”
Political trials outside the legal norm
Referring to the aggravated life sentences, the lawyer explained the clear illegality of this practice: “Imposing life sentences without the possibility of review and release violates Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits torture. The ECtHR requires that every prisoner has a right to hope. A mandatory review must take place after 25 years at the latest.”
Geisweid emphasized that Turkey completely disregards these standards, especially in political trials, which is unacceptable from both a legal and a human rights perspective.
Turkey ignores international law
Geisweid noted that the current diplomatic framework of the European Council, which monitors the implementation of ECtHR judgments, is not effective with regard to Turkey: “Turkey is one of the countries most frequently condemned by the ECtHR, but it is also one of the countries that implements the fewest judgments. Diplomacy alone is no longer sufficient.”
In an open appeal, the human rights activist addressed the European states: “Every single member state of the Council of Europe must exert political and economic pressure on Turkey to implement the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights. Turkey’s ignorance in this regard is legally and politically unacceptable. Mere declarations will not bring about any progress. As long as Turkey does not implement the judgments, international obligations are practically meaningless.”
Kurdish politicians particularly affected by violations of the law
Geisweid recalled that the ECtHR had found in its judgments on Selahattin Demirtaş and Osman Kavala that Turkey had acted with political motives, and explained that the aggravated life sentences and long-term imprisonment of Kurdish politicians in Europe had been widely criticized. She said it was not possible for Europe to continue to be content with “standing by and watching,” which amounted to tolerating human rights violations.