EU reaction to Turkey over convention cancellation: "Legal processes should not be used to intimidate the opposition"

The European Union External Action Service (EEAS) has issued an official statement expressing its concerns regarding democratic processes in Turkey following the decision to cancel the 38th Convention of the Republican People's Party (CHP). The statement, which referenced Turkey's European Union candidate status and its membership in the Council of Europe, called for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.

The statement pointed out that the court decision dated May 21, as well as the increasing pressure on opposition figures, are incompatible with the principles of the rule of law.

EMPHASIS ON DEMOCRATIC PLURALISM AND JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE

In the assessment made by the EEAS, Turkey's obligations regarding democratic standards and fundamental rights were recalled. The statement expressed that the investigations, detentions, and removal processes carried out against elected public officials and opposition figures raise serious questions regarding the "rule of law, democratic pluralism, and judicial independence."

The text also touched upon the situation of CHP's presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is being held in Silivri, and emphasized that the participation of the opposition in the political process under equal conditions, without fear of repression, is an indispensable element of a democratic system.

POLITICAL COMPETITION SHOULD NOT BE HINDERED

The European Union underlined that legal and administrative processes should not be used to intimidate politicians or restrict political competition. In the concluding section of the statement, it was noted that the Turkish people deserve to live in a vibrant and competitive democracy where their voices are heard, and a message was sent to Turkey to remain committed to its international obligations.

News Source: 12punto