Letter from European Parliament rapporteurs on Turkey to the Interior Minister: It negatively affects democracy

Stating that they are closely monitoring the situation in Turkey, the rapporteurs said, "We are writing to you jointly to express our shared concerns regarding recent developments affecting local democracy in your country and to express how we can work with you to overcome these issues."

The letter recalled that two years have passed since the imprisonment of Ekrem İmamoğlu and that many elected officials remain in detention, stating, "The current situation undermines democracy in general by damaging the right of voters to freely choose their representatives."

"It negatively affects local democracy"

Reminding that Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and Union of Municipalities of Turkey President Ekrem İmamoğlu has entered his second year of imprisonment and that many local elected officials have been detained for a long time, the rapporteurs stated, "If the detention of elected mayors does not meet the conditions specified in Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights, this situation will negatively affect local democracy. The current situation weakens democracy in general by damaging the right of voters to freely choose their representatives."

"We are ready to provide support"

Noting that they have consistently raised their concerns regarding these issues in their dialogues with Turkish authorities, the rapporteurs said, "Within the framework of our commitment to strengthening local democracy in Turkey, we reiterate our readiness to continue this dialogue, especially on issues of commitment to the fundamental principles of democracy, justice, human rights, and the detention of elected representatives. As a member of the Council of Europe and a strategic partner of the European Union, we are ready to support Turkey in fulfilling its democratic commitments."

The rapporteurs' letter concluded as follows: "We believe that by addressing these ongoing challenges together, concrete and sustainable progress will be achieved in protecting democratic principles and values in Turkey; this will be to the benefit of both the citizens of Turkey and the wider European community. We look forward to our cooperation continuing in a spirit of partnership and shared responsibility."

News Source: 12punto