Turkey: Osman Kavala sentenced to life imprisonment
GHRTV
01-05-2022
Alketa Hotaj
Europe and Human Rights Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence.
Osman Kavala, a Turkish human rights activist, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on April 25th, 2022, by the Istanbul 13th Assize Court after being found guilty of attempting to overthrow the Turkish government.
Although Kavala has consistently denied the charges levelled against him, he has already spent four and a half years in detention on baseless charges of attempting to overthrow the government and constitutional order, as well as espionage, for his alleged involvement in the Gezi Park protests of 2013 and the July 15, 2016 coup attempt against the Turkish government.
In December 2019, the European Court of Human Rights demanded his immediate release after finding that Turkey had used detention for political ends, violated Kavala’s rights, including his right to liberty, and acted in bad faith. However, even though ECtHR rulings are legally binding, this did not stop the court from convicting Kavala and seven other individuals including Mücella Yapıcı, an architect; Can Atalay, a lawyer; Tayfun Kahraman, a city planner and academic; Çiğdem Mater, a filmmaker; Mine Özerden, a rights defender; Hakan Altınay, an educator; and Yiğit Ekmekçi, founder of a university and a businessman. All seven of them were sentenced to 18 years in prison each for aiding and abetting an attempt to overthrow the government. Lawyers are appealing all defendants’ convictions and detentions.
Many individuals, including opposition members and human rights activists, gathered in the courtroom, screaming anti-tribunal chants, such as "this is just the beginning; the battle continues". Furthermore, in his final words before the verdict, Kavala said the Prosecutor's request for a life sentence was based on "evidence that is not evidence" and constituted "a murderous act through the use of the judiciary".
In addition to stating that this was “an attempt to silence independent voices”, Nils Muiznieks, Amnesty International's Director for Europe, stated that “the court decision dealt a devastating blow not only to Osman Kavala, the other defendants, and their families but to all those who believe in justice and human rights activism” (Amnesty International, 2022).
Sera Kadigil, a Workers' Party of Turkey member of parliament, says that "there is no justice" in Turkey and that the court just followed the government's directions. She asserts that the Turkish judiciary is biased, and "this judgement has formally proved this." Furthermore, the European Court of Human Rights and activists have said the case is politically motivated and part of a crackdown on dissent under President Tayyip Erdogan - allegations the government denies.
Turkey now risks suspension from the Council of Europe's rights watchdog, after infringement proceedings were launched due to its continued detention. Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether other European Union Member States will follow Germany's lead and summon Turkish ambassadors to protest the conviction of Osman Kavala.
SOURCES AND FURTHER READING
Euronews (29 April 2022). Osman Kavala: Germany summons Turkish ambassador to protest activist's life sentence Euronews. Retrieved 30 April 2022, from
Osman Kavala: Germany summons Turkish ambassador to protest activist's life sentence | Euronews
Amnesty International (2022). Turkey: Conviction of Osman Kavala a ‘devastating blow’ for human rights. Amnesty International. Retrieved 30 April 2022, from Turkey: Conviction of Osman Kavala a ‘devastating blow’ for human rights - Amnesty International
Ali Kucukgocmen (26 April 2022). Turkish philanthropist Kavala jailed for life, activists protest. SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 30 April 2022, from
Turkish philanthropist Kavala jailed for life, activists protest - SWI swissinfo.ch
Human Rights Watch (26 April 2022). Turkey: Life Sentence for Rights Defender Osman Kavala. Human Rights Watch. Retrieved 30 April 2022, from
Turkey: Life Sentence for Rights Defender Osman Kavala | Human Rights Watch (hrw.org)
Kavala v. Turkey, No. 28749/18, ECtHR (Second Section), 10 December 2019 Retrieved 30 April 2022, from
