VP/HR — Detained members and co-chairs of the HDP in Turkey

20.7.2017

Question for written answer E-005023-17
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Javier Couso Permuy (GUE/NGL)

The Turkish Government has detained 11 members of the People’s Democratic Party (HDP), including the co-leaders Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, and 85 Kurdish co-mayors.

In May 2016, 55 of the 59 members of the HDP (the third largest party in the Turkish Parliament) were stripped of their parliamentary immunity. In June 2016, they appealed to the Turkish Constitutional Court, but their appeal was rejected.

When immunity was lifted, all the accusations that were awaiting trial were then transferred to the courts. On 4 November 2016, 13 members of the HDP were detained simultaneously during a police operation in 5 provinces.

According to the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks, and as stated in the Venice Commission reports, the independence of the judiciary is severely compromised, which has lead to internal legal mechanisms being rendered ineffective.

1. What is the EU’s stance on the irregular procedure of imprisoning the Members of Parliament?

2. What steps will the EU take to ensure that Turkey complies with international law and upholds the human rights of the HDP Members of Parliament?