CoE's governing body requests immediate release of Yüksekdağ, Demirtaş, Kavala

Photo: CoE's Committee of Ministers

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The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers demanded today (June 8) the implementation of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgments regarding Osman Kavala, a detained businessperson and human rights activist, as well as the former leaders of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Figen Yüksekdağ and Selahattin Demirtaş.

Demirtaş, Yüksekdağ immediate release

Regarding Demirtaş, the Committee ruled that his detention was unjustified and called for immediate release.

"The applicant's detention pursued the ulterior purpose of stifling pluralism and limiting freedom of political debate, urged the authorities to ensure the applicant's immediate release by exploring alternative measures to detention pending the completion of the proceedings before the Constitutional Court."

The former co-chair of the pro-Kurdish HDP, who recently took a step back from active politics, has been in prison since November 4, 2016.

Demirtaş was arrested along with several other HDP members on contentious terrorism-related charges and has been accused of supporting the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The governing body also demanded the immediate release of Figen Yüksekdağ, the former co-chair and Member of Parliament for the HDP.

She has been similarly incarcerated on terrorism-related accusations after her parliamentary immunity was controversially revoked in 2016.

Kavala's detention lacks reasonable grounds

The Committee furthermore expressed deep concern over the ongoing detention of Osman Kavala, despite the explicit rulings of the ECtHR and their repeated appeals.

They emphasized that the detention of Kavala lacked any reasonable grounds and called for his immediate release.

The philanthropist was given a life sentence for his alleged involvement in an "attempt to overthrow the government," as he would have helped orchestrate the Gezi Protests.

These mass demonstrations occurred in Gezi Park, Istanbul, precisely a decade ago. Initially sparked by police violence during a peaceful sit-in, the protests evolved into a broader, countrywide movement against intrusive government practices and the erosion of democratic rights.

If Kavala's detention continues, it will be reconsidered at the September Committee meeting. (AS/WM)