On November 9th, human rights defenders met with the European Parliament’s Standing Rapporteur for Turkey Nacho Sánchez Amor and the Chair of the EU-Turkey Parliamentary Delegation Sergey Lagodinsky. The delegation discussed the acute problems in Turkey regarding democracy and the rule of law with Sánchez Amor and Lagodinsky. Stressing the importance of the unwavering support of the Parliament for human rights defenders in Turkey as elections draw near, human rights defenders emphasized that universal values should not be sacrificed for geopolitical interests.
Human rights defenders commenced their visits in Berlin with a meeting with the Bündnis 90/ die Grünen MP Max Lucks on November 10th. Asking questions regarding matters which he closely follows, Lucks also noted the remarks of the delegation concerning the infringement process initiated against Turkey by the Committee of Ministers. Stressing the importance of Turkey remaining within the Council of Europe, human rights defenders shared with Lucks the problems regarding the implementation of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.
The delegation later came together with Ambassador Susanne Schütz, Director for South-Eastern Europe, Turkey, OSCE, Council of Europe at the Federal Foreign Office. Explaining the problems regarding the implementation of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, human rights defenders answered the questions of Ambassador Schütz about the difficulties civil society in Turkey faces.
Human rights defenders concluded the first day of their meetings in Berlin with a roundtable at Heinrich Böll Stiftung's Berlin Office. The delegation came together with the representatives of NGOs and journalists based in Berlin and answered their questions about acute human rights violations in Turkey.
The second day of advocacy meetings in Berlin started with a meeting with the international-European Coordinator of Bündnis 90/ die Grünen Pegah Edalatian. The delegation had a fruitful discussion on human rights issues in Turkey and possible collaborations with Edalatian.
The delegation concluded advocacy visits with a meeting with Minister of State for Europe and Climate Anna Lührmann. Sharing her deep concerns and regrets that Turkey has withdrawn from the İstanbul Convention, Lührmann asked human rights defenders the current pressures they face in Turkey while also emphasizing that protection of civil society is an important criteria for the improvement of Turkey- Europe relations.
