MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Osman Kavala in Turkey

3.5.2022 - (2022/2656(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 144 of the Rules of Procedure

Željana Zovko, Michael Gahler, David McAllister, Sandra Kalniete, Isabel Wiseler‑Lima, David Lega, Sara Skyttedal, Tom Vandenkendelaere, Eugen Tomac, José Manuel Fernandes, Adam Jarubas, Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska, Miriam Lexmann, Antonio López‑Istúriz White, Peter Pollák, Stanislav Polčák, Eva Maydell, Christian Sagartz, Vangelis Meimarakis, Gheorghe‑Vlad Nistor, Michaela Šojdrová, Paulo Rangel, Maria Walsh, Seán Kelly, Ivan Štefanec, Luděk Niedermayer, Vladimír Bilčík, Krzysztof Hetman, Arba Kokalari, Loucas Fourlas, Inese Vaidere, Traian Băsescu, Romana Tomc, Tomislav Sokol
on behalf of the EPP Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B9-0227/2022

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.

B9‑0239/2022

European Parliament resolution on the case of Osman Kavala in Turkey

(2022/2656(RSP))

The European Parliament,

-   having regard to its previous resolutions on Turkey,

 

-   having regard to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), to which Turkey is a state party,

 

-   having regard to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) of

10 December 2019 in the case of Kavala v Turkey,

 

-   having regard to  the declaration by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on behalf of the EU of 26 April 2022 on the conviction of Osman Kavala,

 

-  having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A.  whereas on 25 April 2022, the Istanbul 13th Assize Court sentenced Osman Kavala, a prominent human rights defender, to life in prison without parole for “attempting to overthrow the government” in the 2013 Gezi protests and the 2016 coup attempt;

 

B.  whereas Osman Kavala has been held in unlawful pre-trial detention since October 2017 on unsubstantiated charges; whereas on 10 December 2019, the ECtHR recognized that Osman Kavala’s detention was politically motivated, and ordered his immediate release;

 

C. whereas on 2 February 2022, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe launched infringement proceedings against Turkey for refusing to implement the legally-binding judgement of the ECtHR;

 

D.  whereas the human rights situation in Turkey has been deteriorating with a large number of arbitrary detentions under claims of support for terrorism;

 

1.  Calls for Osman Kavala’s immediate and unconditional release in compliance with the 2019 judgement of the ECtHR and for all charges against him to be dropped immediately;

 

2.  Calls on the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to take the necessary steps to ensure that the Government of Turkey implements the ECtHR judgment without any further delay;

 

3.  Is deeply concerned about the ongoing deterioration of fundamental rights and freedoms and the rule of law in Turkey; calls on the Turkish authorities to end the judicial harassment of human rights defenders, academics, journalists, spiritual leaders and lawyers;

 

4.  Recalls the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, allowing it to take restrictive measures against individuals, entities and bodies involved in serious violations on human rights, as is it the case in Turkey;

 

5. Underlines that if not addressed, the deteriorating human rights situation in Turkey could hamper the “Positive EU-Turkey agenda” proposed by the European Council;

 

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and the President, Government and Parliament of Turkey.