Former ECHR Judge and CHP (Republican People's Party) Izmir MP Riza Turmen stressed that Turkey is obliged to comply with the ECHR’s Demirtas ruling.

Riza Turmen called for compliance with the European Court of Human Rights ruling and stressed that Selahattin Demirtas should be released without delays.

Turmen stated that noncompliance with the ruling, which references Article 18 of the European Convention on Human Rights and poses a precedent for other political prisoners, will be the confirmation that Demirtas’s imprisonment is not about the law but about politics.

Former ECHR Judge and CHP Izmir MP Riza Turmen responded to Turkish President Erdogan who said the ECHR ruling for the release of former HDP Co-chair Selahattin Demirtas’ release is not binding for them.

Turmen spoke to the ANF about the ruling and said it is important for the ECHR, Turkey and Selahattin Demirtas.

POINTED OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME

Turmen pointed out that the arrest of a politician was cited as a violation of the right to vote and run for election, despite very narrow interpretations of said right in the ECHR protocol.

HE said the ECHR pointed out that the evidence the judges cited for the continuation of Demirtas’s arrest is not sufficient, and that it was considered a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights.

POLITICAL CONTENT EXAMINED

Turmen said the most interesting part of the ruling is the reference to ECHR Article 18, and added that with the reference, the political content of the case was also examined.

On the significance of the reference to said article, Turmen said: “The ECHR has ruled that laws are being used to silence the opposition, the judiciary is not independent, and that Selahattin Demirtas is in prison not for legal reasons, but because of politics with the reference to Article 18, and ordered the immediate release of Demirtas.”

THE RULING IS BINDING AND PRECEDENT

On AKP Leader and Turkey’s President Erdogan’s comments that the ruling “is not binding for us”, Turmen stated that ECHR verdicts are binding for countries that are part of the Council of Europe.

Turmen stressed that Turkey is obliged to comply with the rulings, and warned that pressure would increase otherwise. Turmen added that Turkey’s noncompliance with the ruling would mean a confirmation that Demirtas’ arrest is not a legal but a political matter.

Turmen added that the ECHR ruling referenced other arrested MPs in the Demirtas ruling, and thus the case would pose a precedent.

Former ECHR Judge Riza Turmen called for compliance with the ECHR ruling and stressed that Selahattin Demirtas needs to be released without delay.