An Open Letter:
As members of parliaments, human rights experts, academics, civil society representatives and public figures across Europe, we, the undersigned, express our deep concern regarding the persistent human rights violations and democratic backsliding in Turkey, and we call for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to the recently emerging dialogue and peace initiatives in the country.
We welcome any step taken towards peace, de-escalation and political dialogue. The renewed discussions on resolving the longstanding questions with the Kurdish political movement, as well as ending armed conflict through democratic means, are important and necessary. Turkey’s stability and prosperity are closely linked to its ability to establish a just and inclusive framework in which all groups (regardless of ethnicity, political orientation or religious identity) can participate freely and without fear.
However, lasting peace cannot be achieved through selective or politically motivated measures. Reports in Turkey suggest that the government may introduce an amnesty limited to certain groups, yet such a selective approach risks deepening divisions, undermining trust, and turning a historic opportunity into a narrow political gesture. For a genuine democratic renewal, it is first necessary to implement the European Court of Human Rights’ judgments in the cases of Osman Kavala, Selahaddin Demirtaş, and Yüksel Yalçınkaya in domestic law, and to undertake reforms based on universal human rights principles, the rule of law, the separation of powers, and an independent judiciary.
According to judgments of the ECtHR and reports by UN mechanisms, the groups most affected by widespread and systemic violations in Turkey are the Kurdish political movement and individuals alleged to be affiliated with the Gülen movement. Hundreds of Kurdish politicians, elected mayors, journalists and activists have been arbitrarily detained or replaced by trustees. At the same time, more than 100,000 public servants have been dismissed by decree-laws without due process; thousands of associations, foundations and educational institutions have been shut down; and millions of people have been stigmatised, criminalised and socially excluded based on their supposed links to the Gülen movement.
In such a context, a credible amnesty process must be inclusive and must cover all political prisoners and detainees — regardless of the group to which they are believed to belong. Excluding certain communities from the scope of reforms would be inconsistent with democratic norms, incompatible with international human rights obligations and counterproductive for long-term peace and social cohesion.
We therefore call on the Turkish authorities to:
• Ensure that any amnesty or normalisation initiative is comprehensive, inclusive and non-discriminatory, covering all political prisoners without exception.
• End the misuse of counter-terrorism legislation against peaceful dissent, civic engagement and basic associative activities.
• Fully implement binding judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, including Osman Kavala, Selahaddin Demirtaş and Yüksel Yalçınkaya.
• Restore the rule of law by re-establishing judicial independence and guaranteeing effective remedies against arbitrary measures.
• Promote an open, transparent and nationwide dialogue process that includes all communities, political actors and civil society groups affected by rights violations.
The European Union, the Council of Europe, and Europe’s national parliaments have a responsibility to encourage and support an inclusive peace agenda grounded in human rights and democratic values. A stable and democratic Turkey is essential both for its own citizens and for regional security and cooperation.
We the undersigned reaffirm our commitment to supporting a peaceful, democratic and rights-based future for Turkey. We call on the Turkish government to seize this moment to pursue a genuinely transformative and inclusive path — one that embraces all individuals and communities who have suffered under years of repression and discrimination. True reconciliation can only be built upon justice, equality and respect for human dignity for all.
Signatories
- Nathalie LOISEAU, Member of the European Parliament – Chair of Special Committee on the European Democracy Shields, France
- Brando Benifei, Member of the European Parliament, Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), Italy
- Kathleen Van Brempt, Member of the European Parliament, Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D), Belgium
- Lucia YAR, Member of the European Parliament, Renew Europe Group, Slovakia
- Reinier VAN LANSCHOT, Member of the European Parliament, Group of the Greens, Netherlands
- Anna STROLENBERG, Member of the European Parliament, Group of the Greens, Netherlands
- Garret AHEARN, PACE member, EPP/CD, Ireland
- Hanna GEDIN, Member of the European Parliament – The Left, Sweden
- Jonas SJÖSTEDT, Member of the European Parliament – The Left, Sweden
- Prof. dr. Javier COUSO SALAS, Professor of Law, Utrecht University, The Netherlands and UDP, Chile
- Prof. Stuart Russell, Human Rights Lawyer, Law Professor and Administrative Judge (ret.) Bordeaux, France
- Prof. Nadia BERNAZ, Professor of Law, Wageningen University, The Netherlands
- Prof. Ides NICAISE, Professor Emeritus, University of Leuven, Belgium
- Angelita Baeyens, Human Rights Lawyer and VP of International Advocacy & Litigation at the Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center
- Walter VAN STEENBRUGGE, Criminal and Sports Law Lawyer and Long-Standing Human Rights Defender, Belgium
- Lucy HALL, Lecturer, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Benjamin NANGLE, Researcher on the Far Right, University of Leuven, Belgium
- André Pereira Matos, Assistant Professor of European Studies, Coordinator of the BA in European Studies, Portugal
- Johan Heymans, Human Rights Lawyer, Belgium
- Ben Keith, Barrister, 5 St Andrew’s Hill Chamber, United Kingdom
- Prof. Dr. Johan Vande Lanotte, Former Deputy Prime Minister in Belgium, Professor at the University of Ghent, Belgium
