TÜRKİYE ORTA ASYA HABER KKUORDİNATÖRÜ

PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY EUROPEAN PACE observers express serious concerns about the future of democracy in Türkiye 29/09/2025 Monitoring Ankara, Turkey ©Shutterstock PACE’s co-rapporteurs for Turkey monitoring, Lord David Blencathra (United Kingdom, ECPA) and Stefan Schennach (Austria, SOC), issued the following statement: “We are deeply concerned about recent events in Türkiye and the ongoing decline of democracy. In particular, we are alarmed by the increasing political pressure, judicial harassment and intimidation of the main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), and its members. In recent months, several CHP representatives and local officials have been subjected to criminal investigations and arrests and other judicial harassment aimed at preventing them from carrying out their elected duties. Since March 2025, CHP leader and Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a potential presidential candidate, has been detained despite calls for his immediate release (see 2597) (Decision No. 2025) continues to be held in custody on the basis of unfounded corruption charges. He was recently sentenced to prison in 2022 for insulting election officials and banned from political activity. His lawyer, Mehmet Pehlivan, has also been detained pending trial. Since March, hundreds of CHP mayors, party officials, and municipal authorities have been arrested on charges of terrorism and corruption. At least 15 mayors from CHP-controlled cities and districts, including Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, and Adana, have been removed from office and detained pending trial. The recent attacks on the CHP party are also a cause for concern. On September 2nd, an Istanbul court invalidated the legitimacy of the party's Istanbul provincial congress held in October 2023, removed the elected Istanbul administration, and appointed a new interim administration from the group that lost the internal elections. The future of the CHP and the fate of its current administration are also at stake. Legal proceedings are underway regarding alleged irregularities in the delegate selection process at the CHP's general congress in October 2023. The result of the proceedings. All these developments appear to be an attempt to weaken the main opposition party in Türkiye. They undermine the principle of political pluralism, the will of the electorate, and confidence in democratic governance. This is all the more disappointing given that the beginning of the 'Turkey free from terrorism' process raised hopes for sustainable peace and political stability in the country. These developments become even more worrying when considered alongside other practices previously condemned by the General Assembly and other bodies of the Council of Europe; including the persistent repression of opposition politicians, civil society activists, journalists and government critics; the abuse of pre-trial detention; the politicization of the judiciary; and violations of freedom of assembly and expression. We have serious concerns not only about human rights and the rule of law, but also about the future of democracy in Türkiye. Since protecting the rights of the CHP is essential to protecting the democratic future of the country, we call on the authorities to immediately cease all judicial harassment and politically motivated investigations targeting CHP representatives. In accordance with its obligations as a member of the Council of Europe, Turkey We once again call on the authorities to uphold democratic values, the rule of law, and human rights.