MLSA - During his visit to Turkey, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier met with civil society representatives including Veysel Ok, co-director of MLSA Turkey. The meeting addressed critical issues such as freedom of expression, democracy, and the rule of law in Turkey. Ok highlighted the erosion of judicial independence as a significant barrier to freedom of expression.
The meeting also included discussions on non-compliance with European Court of Human Rights rulings and was attended by Lawyer İpek Bozkurt of We Will Stop Femicide Platform and Asena Günal, Director of Anadolu Culture.
This visit is part of the celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Turkey and Germany. Steinmeier's itinerary also included meetings with Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and he is expected to visit earthquake victims in Antep. The German President's visit will conclude in Ankara where he is scheduled to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş.
