At the opening of legal proceedings against Maite Mola, Vice-Chair of the European Left Party, along with 10 other Turkish activists, Gabi Zimmer, Chair of the GUE/NGL group in the European Parliament, states:

“Intellectuals, journalists, writers, lawyers and also more often ordinary citizens in Turkey are being accused of “insulting President Erdogan” and therefore risk ending up in prison.

“In the case of Maite Mola and the 10 Turkish activists, the accusation of “insulting” Erdogan is a result of them peacefully demonstrating in Istanbul on 21st February 2015. This witch hunt, which is carried out throughout the public sphere and includes posts and activity on  the social media, represents a clear violation of fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression in Turkey.

“I call on the Turkish authorities to meet Turkey´s obligations as a member state of the Council of Europe and as a party to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

“This witch hunt must end!”

 

GUE/NGL Press Contact:

Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20

Nikki Sullings + 32 483 03 55 75