Europe’s leading human rights body, The Council of Europe, has initiated rarely used infringement proceedings against Turkey after Ankara’s failure to release businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala despite a European Court of Human Rights’ judgement ordering his immediate release. Expert Aykan Erdemir joins The Greek Current with the latest analysis.
Europe’s leading human rights body, The Council of Europe, has initiated rarely used infringement proceedings against Turkey after Ankara’s failure to release businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala despite a European Court of Human Rights’ judgement ordering his immediate release. This may eventually lead to withholding Turkey’s voting rights in the council or even suspension of its membership. This process has only been initiated once before, and experts say this indicates the flagrant nature of Turkey’s disregard for human rights and for the commitments it has made to other European states. Aykan Erdemir joins The Greek Current to break down the significance of the Council of Europe’s decision for Turkey, pro-democracy Turks, and Ankara’s relations with Europe and the West.
Dr. Aykan Erdemir is the senior director of the Turkey program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former Turkish lawmaker.
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