European court of human rights to deliver its judgement on Turkey’s detainment of human rights activist

30-05-2022

Myrthe Niemeijer

International Justice and Human Rights Researcher

Global Human Rights Defence 

On 31 May, the European Court of Human Rights (‘ECtHR’) will deliver five judgements, including on the case of Taner Kılıç v. Turkey (no. 2). This case revolves around the detention of Mr Kılıç, human rights activist and former Chair of the Turkish branch of Amnesty International, which he argues was in violation of his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (‘ECHR’).

The applicant, Mr Kılıç, was arrested in June 2017 for allegedly participating in terrorist activities by the organisation “Gülenist Terror Organisation/Parallel State Structure” (FETÖ/PDY). He was then arrested and held in pre-trial detention for 14.5 months. On 5 November 2019, he was released on bail but remains charged with partaking in a terrorist organisation.  

Mr Kılıç filed a complaint with the ECtHR relying on Article 5 ECHR on the right to liberty and security, Article 10 ECHR on freedom of expression and Article 11 ECHR on freedom of assembly and of association, as well as Article 18 ECHR on the limitation regarding restrictions.  of rights permitted under the Convention.

Sources and further reading: 

European Court of Human Rights. (2022, May 30) Press Release - Forthcoming judgments and decisions. https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng-press#{%22itemid%22:[%22003-7344882-10029261%22]} 

Amnesty International UK. (2019, November 5). Taner Kılıç released after 432 days in jail. https://www.amnesty.org.uk/taner-kilic-released