European Court Orders Turkey to Release Osman Kavala

A key European human rights body has called on Turkey to immediately release prominent philanthropist Osman Kavala, citing violations of the European Convention on Human Rights. Sergiy Vlasenko, the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly rapporteur responsible for implementing ECHR decisions, stated that Turkish authorities must fully comply with the court's ruling.

The European Court of Human Rights' Grand Chamber recently ruled on Kavala's case concerning his detention and subsequent life sentence after the Gezi Park protests. The court found Turkey in violation of five separate articles of the convention and mandated Kavala's immediate release.

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I call on the Turkish authorities to fully comply with the decision, ensure the immediate release of Osman Kavala, and take the necessary steps to implement the other aspects of this important decision.

In a written statement, Vlasenko emphasized that the ruling serves as a warning not only for Kavala's case but also for the rule of law in Turkey. He urged Turkish authorities to address the systematic misuse of criminal proceedings against human rights defenders, political opponents, and journalists. The ruling also requires Turkey to rectify structural deficiencies affecting judicial independence and impartiality, prioritize the implementation of ECHR decisions nationally, and resolve systemic issues like the use of irreducible life sentences.

Vlasenko's statement highlighted the need for Turkey to ensure the full implementation of the ECHR decision and take necessary steps regarding its other aspects. The ruling underscores broader concerns about the state of human rights and the rule of law within Turkey.

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This new decision should serve as a warning not only for the case of Osman Kavala but also for the rule of law in Turkey.