Copenhagen – 6 November 2009: The EMHRN demands the Turkish authorities to put an end to the proceedings against Ms. Filiz Kalayci, board member of the Human Rights Association (IHD), who was summoned to appear before the 11th District High Criminal Court of Ankara on 9 November, 2009 at 10 am.
Ms Filiz Kalayci, one of the four lawyers who were arrested and placed in police custody on 12 May 2009 charged of “aiding an illegal organisation”, was arrested again and put into a so-called “F-type” prison (a maximum security prison) in Ankara on May 28, 2009. The other three lawyers, Mr. Hasan Anlar (executive board member of the IHD), Mr. Halil Ibrahim Vargun (member of the IHD) and Mr. Murat Vargun (member of the IHD), were released on 15 May.
This police and judiciary harassment against Ms Filiz Kalayci seems solely motivated by her human rights commitments, and particularly her efforts to monitor human rights violations that occurred in detention.
The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) expresses its support towards Ms Filiz Kalayci, as well as to all members of its affiliated organization, the Human Rights Association (IHD).
The EMHRN demands the Turkish authorities to put an end to the proceedings against Ms. Filiz Kalayci and to release her immediately and unconditionally.
The EMHRN also calls upon the Turkish authorities to act in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and Article 5 of the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
The EMHRN strongly invites the Delegation of the European Commission in Ankara and embassies of European Union member States to attend the hearing of Ms Filiz Kalayci, in accordance with the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders.
The EMHRN (Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network)