1/. Just over a year ago, in a pre-lockdown world, I travelled to #Turkey with a high level @amnesty delegation to observe the judgement in the case of #OsmanKavala, a philanthropist who, at that time, had been unjustly behind bars for more than two years.
2/. The hearing of OsmanKavala & 15 other Turkish civil society figures - all facing the same absurd charges - was taking place in a court in Silivri high security prison, Europe's largest jail
The dock had space for 250 defendants
This was a courtroom designed for mass trials
The dock had space for 250 defendants
This was a courtroom designed for mass trials
3/. We watched proceedings from the back of the gargantuan courtroom
"So much space in this courtroom yet so little room for justice," I thought
But suddenly, the judge stood & declared #OsmanKavala & all co-defendants in this Gezi trial, were acquitted.
"So much space in this courtroom yet so little room for justice," I thought
But suddenly, the judge stood & declared #OsmanKavala & all co-defendants in this Gezi trial, were acquitted.
https://twitter.com/StefSimanowitz/status/1229745301101084672
4/. But our celebrations were short-lived
In an act that smacked of calculated cruelty, #OsmanKavala had the door to freedom slammed in his face
Two hours after his acquittal, he was detained on new - equally absurd - charges.
#OsmanKavalayaÖzgürlük
amnesty.org/en/latest/news…
In an act that smacked of calculated cruelty, #OsmanKavala had the door to freedom slammed in his face
Two hours after his acquittal, he was detained on new - equally absurd - charges.
#OsmanKavalayaÖzgürlük
amnesty.org/en/latest/news…
5/ In December 2020, the European Court for Human Rights issued a binding judgment finding that the detention of #OsmanKavala was politically motivated & demanding his immediate release
For more than a year, #Turkey has brazenly ignored this ECHR judgment
amnesty.org/en/latest/news…
For more than a year, #Turkey has brazenly ignored this ECHR judgment
amnesty.org/en/latest/news…
6/. Today, ministers representing 47 @coe nations will decide what action to take against #Turkey
By failing to implement a binding ECHR judgment & release #OsmanKavala @amnesty’s @MuizNils says “Turkey is spitting in the face of other European countries”
By failing to implement a binding ECHR judgment & release #OsmanKavala @amnesty’s @MuizNils says “Turkey is spitting in the face of other European countries”
7/. "The Committee of Ministers has already called for the release of #Kavala 3 times
The time for delay & dithering is over. It's impossible to pretend that #Turkey continues to fulfil its obligations in good faith." @MuizNils
#OsmanKavalayaOEzguerluek
The time for delay & dithering is over. It's impossible to pretend that #Turkey continues to fulfil its obligations in good faith." @MuizNils
#OsmanKavalayaOEzguerluek
8/. In an hour, @coe is expected to make statement on #Turkey’s failure to free #OsmanKavala
Last week, President Erdogan unveiled a human rights action plan
This in a country critics are silenced & journalists jailed
We don’t need words
We need action
reuters.com/article/us-tur…
Last week, President Erdogan unveiled a human rights action plan
This in a country critics are silenced & journalists jailed
We don’t need words
We need action
reuters.com/article/us-tur…
The decision will be published tmw morning
“It is crucial for the Committee of Ministers, to leave the Turkish govt in no doubt that failure to implement the ruling in #OsmanKavala’s case constitutes a serious breach requiring exceptional measures” (@hrw) ifex.org/turkey-council…
“It is crucial for the Committee of Ministers, to leave the Turkish govt in no doubt that failure to implement the ruling in #OsmanKavala’s case constitutes a serious breach requiring exceptional measures” (@hrw) ifex.org/turkey-council…
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