F.P. Report
LONDON: At its meeting on Wednesday 2 February, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe (CoE) decided to launch infringement proceedings against Turkey due to its refusal to implement the 2019 judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and immediately release Osman Kavala.
The launch of infringement proceedings is a tool rarely used by the CoE Committee of Ministers and clearly indicates the serious concerns related with the case of Mr Kavala, who has been kept in prison for years without a conviction.
It is regrettable that the Turkish authorities have refused to execute the respective ECHR’s ruling. Such attitude sets a worrying precedent and further increases the EU’s concerns regarding Turkish judiciary’s adherence to international and European standards. It also runs counter to Turkey’s own obligations as a member of the Council of Europe and EU candidate country.
The European Union will continue to follow the case of Mr Kavala closely and look forward to the Court’s ruling in this question.
