ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Thirty bar associations across Turkey on Wednesday called on the Turkish authorities to implement a ruling by the highest international court for fundamental human rights, demanding the immediate release of prominent Kurdish opposition politician Selahattin Demirtas.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled on July 8 that Demirtas, who has been imprisoned since November 2016 on terror-related charges, must be released immediately. Turkey appealed the ruling, but the court upheld its decision in the final verdict.
“We call for the immediate implementation of the rulings of the Constitutional Court [of Turkey] and the ECHR, the fulfillment of decisions regarding those whose rights have been found to be violated, and adherence to the rule of law. We respectfully share this appeal with the public,” said the bar associations.
The Constitutional Court, the highest legal body for constitutional review in Turkey, ruled in 2020 that Demirtas’ rights have been violated.
Turkish officials and influential politicians have not opposed the final ruling by the European court.
Devlet Bahceli, leader of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said the release of Demirtas would benefit Turkey.