Another signal from MHP for Demirtaş's release... 'A release decision will be made'

Following the finalization of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling regarding former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş, a notable statement has been made from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) front. MHP Deputy Chairman Feti Yıldız stated that a release decision will be issued for Demirtaş.

ECHR RULING FINALIZED

Selahattin Demirtaş has been imprisoned in Edirne Prison since November 4, 2016. In its ruling announced on July 8, the ECHR had ruled that Demirtaş's detention was contrary to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and constituted a violation of rights.

According to the court ruling, if Turkey did not appeal by October 8, the decision would enter into force and the release of Demirtaş would be on the agenda. However, the Ministry of Justice appealed the decision on October 7, one day before the deadline, and requested that the file be referred to the ECHR Grand Chamber.

The ECHR rejected this request on October 3. Thus, the ruling on the violation of rights regarding Demirtaş became final.

“BEST WISHES” MESSAGE FROM BAHÇELİ

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli answered journalists' questions following the group meeting at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). Regarding the ECHR ruling, Bahçeli commented, “Mr. Demirtaş has reached a result through legal channels. His release will be for the best for Turkey.”

“ECHR RULINGS SHOULD BE APPLIED LIKE DOMESTIC LAW”

MHP Deputy Chairman Feti Yıldız also drew attention to the binding nature of ECHR rulings in his statement to journalist Zafer Şahin.

Reminding that Turkey is a party to the European Convention on Human Rights, Yıldız used the following expressions:

“It is legally inexplicable for Turkey to be a party to the ECHR, to recognize the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights, and yet to act contrary to these acceptances. Turkey ratified the convention in 1954, recognized the right to individual application in 1987, and accepted the compulsory jurisdiction of the Court in 1990.”

Stating that ECHR rulings should be applied equally with domestic law, Yıldız said, “Just as the administration fulfills a national court decision as a requirement of the principle of the rule of law and being a state of law, it is in a position to fulfill the ECHR ruling in the same way.”

“A RELEASE DECISION WILL BE ISSUED”

Reminding that Turkey appealed the ECHR ruling on the 89th day of the period, Feti Yıldız also explained the next stage of the process.

Yıldız stated, “The panel rejected the request to send the Selahattin Demirtaş/Turkey (no:4) decision to the Grand Chamber, and the decision became final. Now, the violation affecting the merits specified in the violation decision must be remedied; the file is currently in the appellate court. The court may correspond with the Ministry of Justice and request the original of the decision. After this stage, a release decision will be issued by the court.”