In Strasbourg, France, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Demir made a remarkable press statement on behalf of Human Rights Defenders (HRD) as part of the “March for Justice” against Turkey, which is failing to implement the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). In his statement before the Council of Europe, Demir explained that Turkey has systematically refused to implement the decisions of the ECHR for years, causing not only a legal crisis but also a moral one.
Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Demir addressed the assembled crowd after handing over a letter on behalf of HRD to the representatives of the Council of Europe. Demir began his speech with the words: “We will not wait any longer. Our demand for justice cannot be postponed. Turkey is taking advantage of the Council of Europe’s patience. The disregard for the judgments of the ECtHR threatens not only the victims in Turkey, but also the integrity of the European legal system.”
“Turkey is playing for time and testing the seriousness of the Council of Europe.”
In his press statement, Prof. Dr. Demir emphasized that Turkey, particularly in view of the binding decisions of the ECtHR, no longer acts as a “playmaker” but as a “perpetrator trying to gain time.” Dr. Demir emphasized in his press statement that, in view of the binding decisions of the ECtHR, Turkey no longer acts as a ‘playmaker’ but as a “perpetrator trying to gain time.” “In an environment where the Constitutional Court has been suspended and the judiciary has been politicized, the decisions from Strasbourg are either ignored in Turkey or rendered ineffective by years of delaying tactics,” he said.
Demir pointed out that the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers must apply more effective mechanisms in this regard. “The monitoring procedure of the Committee of Ministers should not be limited to reporting violations; in cases of repeated violations, sanction mechanisms must be applied urgently,” he said.
“The suspension of membership must be put on the agenda.”
Demir continued: “If the Council of Europe remains inactive in the face of this blatant disregard for its own decisions, it will set a dangerous precedent not only for Turkey but for all member states. The Council must consider all possible measures against Turkey, which is failing to implement the decisions of the ECtHR, including the suspension of its membership. For silence in the face of legal violations means that these violations are legitimized,” he explained.
Legal basis outlined
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Demir referred to Article 46 of the European Convention on Human Rights and explained: “Every contracting state has recognized the decisions of the ECtHR as binding. Turkey is clearly violating this article and is systematically resisting it,” he said.
Demir also recalled the proceedings 46/4 initiated by the Committee of Ministers against Azerbaijan in 2017 for failing to implement the decisions of the ECtHR, and reiterated his call for concrete steps, saying, “A similar process has now become inevitable for Turkey as well.”
“Thousands of victims, dozens of violations”
In his press statement, Demir also summarized the most important decisions of the ECtHR in Turkey and described the failure to implement the decisions on Selahattin Demirtaş and Osman Kavala in particular as unlawful political resistance. “Even though these two examples are symbolic, in reality thousands of people are suffering from injustice. Journalists, academics, civil society representatives, and even teachers are unjustly imprisoned. The ECtHR’s rulings on violations of rights point to a systematic problem,” he said.
“The conscience of Europe must see this crisis”
Demir concluded by appealing to the European public and civil society: “Today, we are raising our voices not only for the victims in Turkey, but also for the future of the European legal order. If these judgments are not implemented, the justice of Strasbourg will remain purely symbolic. The conscience of Europe must recognize this crisis.”
After Demir’s speech, the crowd applauded loudly and at length. Human rights activists continued their march and held up banners in front of the ECHR building with the slogan “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied.”
This statement is seen as a turning point, a loud reminder of the steps that European institutions must take in response to Turkey’s violation of its international obligations.
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