Council of Europe shares decision demanding release of Demirtas and Kavala
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has demanded the release of Selahattin Demirtas and Osman Kavala. The Committee has given Turkey until September 30 for Demirtas, while it will wait for the December session for Kavala.
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which oversees the implementation of decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), announced its decision on businessman Osman Kavala and former HDP Co-Chairman Selahattin Demirtas, who have not yet been released despite the ECHR decision.
The Committee of Ministers once again demanded the release of Selahattin Demirtas and the overturning of the conviction decisions. It stated that the 4-year and 8-month prison sentence given for the propaganda crime had the “purpose of keeping Demirtas in prison and preventing him from participating in the elections”.
The Committee reminded that the consequences of all negative sanctions implemented due to statements of Demirtas remaining within the scope of legislative immunity and freedom of expression, including the ongoing lawsuit in the ACM and the Court of Cassation’s approval decision, should be eliminated.
Regarding Demirtas, the committee gave Turkey time until October 30, because Turkey has not submitted an action plan (although Turkey has not asked for additional time). The ECHR had given the government (Turkey) until June 22 to submit an action plan in accordance with the decision of the Grand Chamber.
