European Politicians Call for Immediate Action Against Turkey’s Rights Violations at Strasbourg Rally

​European politicians and members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) voiced strong support for protesters gathered in front of the Council of Europe during the annual “Justice for Everyone” demonstration. In their public addresses, the politicians criticized Turkey’s ongoing non-compliance with the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) rulings and urged the Council of Europe to take decisive legal and political steps.

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The speakers emphasized that the erosion of democracy and rule of law in Turkey is not only a national concern, but also a European responsibility.

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“Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied” – Laura Castel (Spain)

Laura Castel, PACE member from Spain, opened her speech by referencing the case of 15-year-old Sümeyra Gelir, who was denied the right to be with her imprisoned mother and ultimately died without receiving proper medical treatment. Castel declared that “this is not only a legal matter, it is a moral and humanitarian emergency.” She called on the Council of Europe to stop tolerating Turkey’s delay tactics and to recognize that justice delayed is justice denied.

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Vinzenz Glaser (Germany): “Thousands of Judges Dismissed Without Due Process”

German PACE member Vinzenz Glaser focused on the decimation of Turkey’s judiciary, citing that over 4,500 judges and prosecutors have been dismissed following the 2016 state of emergency. He criticized the Turkish government for creating a judiciary that is “no longer independent, but politically loyal.” Glaser emphasized that prolonged pretrial detentions and the absence of fair trials violate the very core of the European human rights framework.

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Benjamin Dalle (Belgium): “Democracy Cannot Be Substituted by Trustees”

Belgian parliamentarian Benjamin Dalle condemned the Turkish state for replacing elected mayors—particularly from the Kurdish HDP party—with state-appointed trustees, describing the practice as a direct assault on democratic institutions. He insisted that ECtHR judgments must be treated as legally binding and not subject to political discretion.

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Sandra Regol (France): “Europe Must Not Normalize Authoritarianism”

French Green Party politician Sandra Regol warned that if Turkey’s violations go unpunished, “we normalize authoritarianism within Europe itself.” She said silence and delay from European institutions effectively embolden illiberal regimes. Regol also demanded that the Council of Europe use all mechanisms at its disposal, including infringement procedures.

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Emmanuel Fernandes (France): “Turkey Is at a Tipping Point”

Another French MP, Emmanuel Fernandes, cited PACE’s own monitoring reports which describe Turkey as being at a “democratic tipping point.” He stated that ignoring this trajectory weakens the credibility of the Council of Europe, and that “if the Council allows one member to violate rulings with impunity, others may follow.”

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Odd Anders With (Norway): “Statements Are Not Enough—Action Is Overdue”

Former Norwegian MP Odd Anders With made perhaps the most forceful statement, arguing that “expressions of concern are no longer enough.” He urged the Council to initiate infringement proceedings under Article 46 of the European Convention on Human Rights. “We are witnessing the collapse of the rule of law in a member state,” he said, “and history will remember those who stayed silent.”