Parliament’s Rapporteur on Türkiye visits Osman Kavala in prison

“I hope this openness is a sign that a new period is beginning for EU-Türkiye relations”, said Nacho Sánchez Amor after being granted permission for the visit.

Standing rapporteur on Türkiye, Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D, Spain), visited Osman Kavala at the Marmara prison (previously known as Silivri prison). It is the first time that a Member of the European Parliament has been allowed to visit him. MEP Sánchez Amor has been in Türkiye since 2 December, having also visited Istanbul and Kayseri.

Mr Sanchez Amor said:

“The Turkish Government’s decision to allow this visit is an important step in the right direction. I want to thank the Turkish Ministries of Justice and of Foreign Affairs for their facilitation. I hope this openness is a sign that a new period in EU-Türkiye relations is beginning, also in the context of the recent Joint Communication by the Commission and the High Representative Vice president, and that more steps will follow in order to address the situation of rule of law and fundamental rights in the country.

For me it was very moving to finally meet Osman Kavala in person. He has been in prison for more than six years for no legal reason, despite the clear rulings by the European Court of Human Rights and the repeated calls by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. I have conveyed to him the European Parliament’s solidarity and firm commitment to continue asking for his release.

I call once again on the Turkish authorities to fully implement the judgements of the European Court of Human Rights with regard to Osman Kavala and other relevant cases, and to comply with the country’s international obligations, as the best path towards recovering the full potential of our relations."

For further information, please contact:

Office of Mr Nacho Sánchez Amor, tel. +32 2 284 58 62, e-mail: nacho.sanchezamor@ep.europa.eu