Eurocommissaris Füle: EC uit bezorgdheid over aantasting grondrechten in Turkije (en)

Statement by the spokesperson of Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle

The European Commission has learnt with concern of the arrest of Osman İşçi, executive member of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network, and dozens of trade unionists affiliated to the Confederation of public workers trade unions (KESK).

The Commission has noted an increase in criminal proceedings launched against human rights defenders, as well as members of trade unions, lawyers and journalist, mostly under terrorism-related legislation.

The legal framework on terrorism and organised crime leads to recurring infringements of the right to liberty and security, the right to a fair trial and the freedom of expression, of assembly and association, and it needs to be amended as soon as possible.