The European Union is calling on Turkey for an immediate change of course on human rights issues. The Human Rights Subcommittee demands that Ankara halt democratic backsliding, respect its Constitution, and proceed with the release of political prisoners. This statement followed the Subcommittee’s recent visit to Turkey, the first since 2022 during the current parliamentary term. The MEPs conducted a series of meetings with government officials, civil society representatives, and defenders of democratic values.
Meetings with political parties and government officials
The EU delegation had contacts with parliamentary parties AKP, CHP, MHP and DEM, while also discussing with the Human Rights Investigation Committee of the Grand National Assembly. The meetings included Deputy Foreign Minister Mehmet Bozay and Deputy Interior Minister Munir Karaloglu. Additionally, the MEPs met with civil society organizations, lawyers, independent journalists, and representatives of international organizations. They also visited human rights programs funded by the European Union. The delegation head, MEP Isabel Wiseler Lima from the European People’s Party of Luxembourg, conducted a visit with Ekrem Imamoglu. Furthermore, she met with Osman Kavala in prison, where he remains detained.
EU position on Turkey’s accession path & stern message on human rights
Wiseler Lima emphasized that Turkey remains a candidate country for European Union membership and that the Turkish people wish to join the European family. According to her statement, Turkish authorities and the ruling party expressed their intention to strengthen cooperation with Brussels. The MEP highlighted the EU’s willingness for dialogue and a constructive approach to relations with Ankara. However, she issued a stern warning to Turkish authorities. Lima called on Turkey to immediately proceed with reversing democratic backsliding.
Specifically, she demanded:
- Ensuring the independence of the judicial system
- Ending harassment of independent journalists
- Releasing those unjustly detained
- Respecting the Turkish Constitution and international obligations
- Implementing decisions of the Turkish Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights
Particularly striking was the fact that Turkey’s Justice Minister refused to receive the European Union delegation. This refusal is considered indicative of the climate prevailing in relations between Ankara and Brussels on matters of justice and human rights.
