Utku Çakırözer, a Member of Parliament from the Republican People's Party (CHP) representing Eskişehir, has publicly urged the Constitutional Court to make a prompt decision regarding the ongoing Gezi Park trial. Speaking on the "Söz Hakkı" program, hosted by journalist Yıldız Tar and broadcasted live by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) on YouTube, Çakırözer emphasized the urgency of resolving the case before the European Court of Human Rights issues another ruling of violation. "Act now, before it's too late, and end this disgrace," he stated.
During the program, which covered topics like press freedom and the current political agenda, Çakırözer criticized the Turkish state broadcaster TRT for its biased coverage during the elections. Despite no legal obstacles, TRT reportedly restricted journalists from other parties from reporting in certain electoral regions and predominantly featured candidates from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, even on election day.
"Local elections were a clear backlash against policies that have set Turkey back even behind third-world standards in terms of rights and freedoms," Çakırözer remarked. He highlighted that the opposition's warnings about TRT's impartiality were ignored.
The lawmaker also visited Osman Kavala, Can Atalay, and Tayfun Kahraman—key figures detained in connection with the Gezi Park protests—during the holiday season. He reiterated their call for justice, noting that the trial has been conducted unjustly and without sufficient evidence. "If it were up to some, they would hang Osman Kavala," he commented on the harshness of their treatment.
Çakırözer's statements reflect deep concern over judicial practices in Turkey and the influence of politics on media freedom. He accused the AKP of attempts to control the media either directly or through affiliated business people, leading to a suppression of journalists and a shift away from news that prioritizes the public's right to information.
Meanwhile, the European Court of Human Rights has taken up the case against Osman Kavala's conviction, inviting the Turkish government to provide information and documents related to the judicial proceedings. The court is assessing several aspects, including whether the presumption of innocence has been violated and whether the involvement of politically active judges has breached the impartiality standards required for a fair trial.
The program and further details can be accessed through this link with auto-generated English language subtitles.
