08/09/2025 Culture, Science, Education and Media
“Young people must be able to participate in public life freely and without fear of reprisal,” said Yevheniia Kravchuk (Ukraine, ALDE), Rapporteur on Youth movements for democracy and Chairperson of the sub-committee on youth and the society of the future, welcoming today’s decision to release Enes Hocaoğulları, Congress youth delegate in respect of Türkiye, under judicial control until the end of his trial.
“While his release is a positive step, the charges against him remain. Mr Hocaoğulları’s contribution to democratic debate should be a source of pride, not the subject of criminal prosecution. The right to speak one’s mind in a European forum is a fundamental freedom, and it must be protected,” she said.
Ms Kravchuk praised the commitment of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities to engage directly with the Turkish authorities on this matter, noting that its recent visit to Ankara, led by Congress President Marc Cools, was conducted in a spirit of co-operation and dialogue. She joined the Congress President in calling on the Turkish authorities to drop all charges against Mr Hocaoğulları and to ensure that his rights are fully respected throughout the judicial process, in line with international human rights obligations.
She underlined that the Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media had adopted her report on Youth movements for democracy on 4 September, in which this case was also addressed. “This is not an isolated incident but part of a wider challenge we face in safeguarding the space for youth activism. Protecting and empowering young voices is essential to the future of democracy,” she concluded.
The report will be debated during the forthcoming Assembly part-session in Strasbourg.