In a written statement, the lawyer and candidate for the Presidency of the Republic, Achilleas Dimitriadis, considers unacceptable the sentencing to life of Osman Kavala by a Turkish court. Mr. Dimitriadis notes that the ECtHR has previously requested the termination of Kavalas's detention, while the issue concerns the European Union-Turkey relations.
The statement:
“Osman Kavala's life sentence by a court in Turkey is unacceptable in every way. This decision has already provoked the justified reactions of the EU and the Council of Europe. I note that the ECtHR has previously requested the termination of the detention where the criminal proceedings are underway.
The issue goes beyond the Kavala conviction and concerns EU-Turkey relations in general. Discussions have taken place between Brussels and Ankara with the aim of restarting the Euro-Turkish relationship. Reference is made to a Positive Agenda focusing on the EU Customs Union & # 8211; Turkey. However, a central issue in these discussions has been and remains the rule of law and respect for human rights in Turkey.
The link between the progress of the Euro-Turkish relationship and respect for fundamental rights is essential. “One influences the other, and progress in respecting fundamental rights in Turkey is a top responsibility of the European Commission and the European Parliament, which must use the right tools to put the EU – Turkey relationship on a different footing.” p>
