Thread by @StefSimanowitz

1/. Two months after the prominent human rights defender Osman Kavala began a life sentence on trumped up charges alongside 6 others jailed for 18 years each for ‘assisting’ him, a high level @amnesty delegation will visit all 7

We’ll hold a press conference tmw 1pm #Turkey time

https://twitter.com/stefsimanowitz/status/1518621320484904961

2/. “What’s happening is entirely contrary to human rights”

In 2014, @amnesty interviewed architect @MucellaYapici while she was facing her first prosecution for the 2013 #GeziPark protests in Turkey

Today, her words are even more poignant
#FreeTheGezi7

4/. In 4 hours @aforgut’s press conference will start in Istanbul

There will be an important announcement

Ystdy, messages of solidarity from @amnesty’s Secretary General @AgnesCallamard’s were delivered to the #Gezi7 in prison

More detail to come
#FreeTheGezi7 #GeziİçinAdalet

5/. #BREAKING: Seven people who were imprisoned in Turkey on trumped-up charges - including #OsmanKavala - have been named prisoners of conscience (POCs) by @Mnesty #BREAKINGNEWS #FreeTheGezi7 #FreeRightsDefenders # Gezi amnesty.org/en/latest/news…

6/. “We are the visible part of the iceberg” @amnesty’s @keremdikmenn reads a message from jailed human rights defender, #OsmanKavala

In a video played at the press conference in #Turkey, @AgnesCallamard has just declared all of the #Gezi7 prisoners of conscience
#FreeTheGezi7

7/. Why have @amnesty named the #Gezi7 - imprisoned in #Turkey on trumped up charges - as prisoners of conscience?

Who are the seven?

✊ Can Atalay
✊ Çiğdem Mater
✊ Hakan Altınay
✊ Mine Özerden
✊ Osman Kavala
✊ Mücella Yapıcı
✊ Tayfun Kahraman
amnesty.org/en/latest/camp…

8/. At a film premiere in #Cannes, one solitary chair was empty as the film’s associate producer Çiğdem Mater, was absent from the red carpet

Far from La Croisette, she was in a cramped prison cell, one month into an 18-year jail term. @AgnesCallamard
politico.eu/article/turkey…

9/. “Conscience is what stands in the way of irrationality, It’s what prevents people from acting out of revenge or out of political ambition”

@AgnesCallamard quotes jailed philanthropist, #OsmanKavala, in final paragraph of #MustRead OpEd. #FreeTheGezi7 amnesty.org/en/latest/news…

10/. “Today we recognise the chronicle of injustice the #Gezi7 have suffered beginning with arbitrary detention & politically-motivated prosecutions & ending in a show trial & convictions. The injustice is emblematic of that suffered by so many in Turkey” @AgnesCallamard @amnesty