Council of Europe Secretary General Jagland answered HDP Deputy Chairperson Filiz Kerestecioğlu’s question and, pointing out the arrests, said: “Journalists and members of parliament are priority groups for the Council of Europe.” Jagland added that the ECHR has launched efforts for the journalists and pointed to the importance of the CPT reports being published.

On the first day of the Parliamentarian Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Summer Session, HDP Deputy Chairperson Filiz Kerestecioğlu brought forth the imprisoned HDP co-chairs and MPs. Kerestecioğlu asked PACE Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland whether they took any steps regarding the imprisoned MPs.

Kerestecioğlu called for action for educators on hunger strike Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça as well and said: “Please, for the two educators in Turkey, before they die, take urgent action.”

“MPS AND JOURNALISTS ARE PRIORITY GROUPS”

Kerestecioğlu’s questions and Jagland’s answers are as follows:

Kerestecioğlu: “Has the Council of Europe taken any steps in the last 3 months for the imprisoned HDP co-chairs and MPs?”

Jagland: “We are aware that there have been many appeals to the European Court of Human Rights on this first issue. The court has launched initiatives for the journalists. Of course, I can’t speak about the legal procedure for the deputies, but members of parliament and journalists are priority groups for the Council of Europe.”

“CPT REPORT SHOULD BE PUBLISHED”

Kerestecioğlu: “What do you think of the reports prepared by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) that couldn’t be published due to the veto of the relevant states?”

Jagland: “Our fundamental view is that the reports should be accessible. As you know, the CPT’s founding principles that constitute the basis of their activity say the publishing of the reports are subject to relevant countries’ approval. But I for one am always on the side of transparency. I believe it is a positive thing that the CPT builds a relationship based on trust with countries before the reports are published, but of course it is important for the reports to be published.”