24/05/2026 Monitoring
PACE co-rapporteurs on Türkiye express deep concern
Lord David Blencathra (United kingdom, ECPA) and Yves Cruchten (Luxembourg, SOC), co-rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee on Türkiye, have made the following statement:
“We are deeply concerned by the scenes witnessed today at the headquarters of Türkiye‘s main opposition party, the CHP, including reports of police intervention involving tear gas and rubber bullets against party members, elected representatives and demonstrators.
As co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Türkiye, we are alarmed by the continuing pressure targeting the democratic opposition, including legal proceedings, arrests, and measures affecting opposition mayors, elected officials and political leaders.
In a democratic society governed by the rule of law, political competition must take place through democratic institutions and elections - never through intimidation, disproportionate use of force, or actions perceived as politically motivated.
The developments of recent days raise serious concern regarding democratic pluralism, freedom of assembly and expression, judicial independence, and respect for the rights of the opposition. For a government to use the courts to remove the leadership of an independent opposition party is a fundamental abuse of the principles of democracy in a free society. These principles are core obligations for every member state of the Council of Europe, including Türkiye.
We call on the Turkish authorities to exercise restraint, to avoid further escalation, and to ensure that all actions undertaken by state institutions fully comply with the European Convention on Human Rights and the standards of the Council of Europe.
A functioning democracy requires that opposition parties and elected representatives be able to carry out their legitimate political activities freely, safely and without fear of retaliation.
We will continue to follow developments in Türkiye very closely.”