Thread by @StefSimanowitz

1/. In February, I was in #Turkey for the verdict in the trial of 2 of my ex-@amnesty colleagues & 9 other human rights defenders, who face up to 15 years in jail on absurd
charges. But the verdict was postponed.

Next Friday, they will be back in court.

2/. Due to COVID, we won’t be there next week, but others will.

It’s no coincidence that as human rights violations in a country increase, so do the attacks on those people who defend them.

In times of repression, their becomes more vital than ever: more vital & more dangerous.

3/. Join @amnesty on 3 July & all this week as we COUNTDOWN TO JUSTICE & demand their acquittal

11 human rights activists

1158 days in pretrial detention

2.5 years since arrests

2m people demand for justice

7 days ‘til the verdict
#FreeRightsDefenders

4/. “We are responsible not only for what we say but what we fail to say by staying silent." (A Nesin)

At the time of their arrest, people around the world (@Snowden) demanded their release.

After all, it is up to us all to defend human rights defenders.

5/ #FreeRightsDefenders

Whoever you are

Wherever you live

Whatever government rules you

You may one day need your rights defended

That’s why we must defend the defenders wherever they are

Join us & speak out for former Amnesty #Turkey chair, Taner Kılıç & 10 other activists

6/. This week will see the verdict in a landmark case

11 human rights defenders have been on facing charges for almost 3 years

It will show whether respect for human rights has any part to play in #Turkey’s justice system. @andrewegardner at Feb hearing

7/. This Friday, two of my ex-@amnesty colleagues will hear the verdict on charges they face.

They were arrested with 9 others, 3 years ago.

2 million ppl around the have called for justice including @Snowden @aiww & @AnnieLennox.

Please add your voice.

8/. "Turkey's judiciary is being exploited to intimidate & silence civil society, so it's impossible to predict what the court will decide. The public prosecutor has called for long prison sentences for six of the defendants." @amnesty_de's @mnbeeko. amnesty.org/en/latest/news…

"No matter where you live
no matter which government rules you
you may need to have your rights defended one day"

Thanks 4 support: @Snowden @BiancaJagger @aiww @itspetergabriel @DavidLammy @DonCheadle @NazaninBoniadi @kravitz @Elif_Safak @angeliquekidjo amnesty.org/en/latest/news…

“From the start, this has been a politically-motivated trial aiming to silence those of us in the dock and send a message to the rest of society: fight for human rights or speak the truth at your peril.”

Idil Eser, who's verdict will be handed down tmw.
amnesty.org/en/latest/news…

Final Büyükada hearing to start in an hour.

If found guilty they could face upto 15 years in jail.

All eyes are on the İstanbul Çağlayan courthouse today. We demand the acquittal of all 11 human rights defenders. Follow @andrewegardner & @MilenaBuyum

Peter & Ali’s lawyers read final defence statements. “If anyone is convicted it will be a severe violation of all of our rights”

“None of us should have even been detained. We are not terrorists, we are simply defending human rights” #FreeRightsDefenders

The Istanbul court has adjourned for 1 hour.

The judges seem to want to finish the hearing quickly.

We also what this ordeal over, but only if this trial has a fair conclusion & all 11 rights defenders are acquitted. Follow @andrewegardner & @MilenaBuyum.
#FreeRightsDefenders

“After 3 years this case is just as surreal as day one.

Absurd allegations - not supported by evidence - which were first reported in pro-govt media, then in the indictment, then in the prosectuor’s concluding statement.” @andrewegardner #FreeTurkeyMedia

“We are here for justice” @amnesty’s @andrewegardner outside the courthouse where 11 human rights defenders will hear the verdict against them

Tens of thousands others, who can’t be in Istanbul today, are watching from around the world #FreeRightsDefenders #acquitthemall #Turkey

"The prosecution which is responsible by law to ensure the fairness of trials & the protection of the defendant's rights have requested instead the conviction of some of the defendants on the basis of disproven allegations." @amnesty's @andrewegardner #FreeRightsDefenders