John Howell MP meets Turkish human rights prisoner, Osman Kavala

The meeting followed two judgements from the European Court of Human Rights which called for the release of Mr Kavala. This is part of the continuing high-level dialogue and engagement which the rapporteurs have undertaken over the last few years on behalf of the Council of Europe. 

The rapporteurs and the Council of Europe have called on the Turkish authorities to implement the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.

John Howell MP said: "We thank the Turkish delegation to PACE and the authorities in Türkiye for facilitating this meeting. 

“It is the result of patient diplomacy in which we have tried to convince the authorities of the enormous damage which is being done to the reputation of Türkiye by not implementing these judgements as well as the legal unfairness to Mr Kavala. 

“The opportunity we had to meet Mr Kavala, who remains in prison since 2017, is an important step forward in the dialogue between the Council of Europe and the Turkish authorities.

“It also shows what can be achieved by the Council of Europe in taking European diplomacy forward – something which has not been achieved by the European Union or any other bodies.”

He added:

“We assured Mr Kavala of our strong commitment and support to finding a solution for his release, and our determination to continue to closely follow his case, along with the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which is primarily responsible for the execution of judgements. Mr Kavala appreciated our visit. In his view, the interest in his case is an important point one for all friends of Türkiye striving to strengthen human rights in the country.”

“We invite the Turkish authorities to continue to engage in and pursue their high-level dialogue with the Council of Europe, including through parliamentary channels, and to play their part in safeguarding our common system of human rights protection which Türkiye, as a founding member of the Organisation, helped to establish.”