Another striking example of the absence of an independent judiciary in Turkey: Free the Gezi defendants!
Download statement The verdict of the Gezi Trial was handed down on 25 April 2022. This trial has been ongoing for years and is one of the most striking examples of the absence of an independent judiciary in Turkey. The Istanbul 13th Assize Court found Osman Kavala guilty of an alleged attempt to overthrow the…
ELDH’s deep concern at “Catalangate”, illegal surveillance of Catalans
Download the statement ELDH, the European Lawyers for Democracy and Human Rights, with individual and organisational members in 22 European countries, is alarmed at the fact that in recent years there have been serious violations of civil liberties and human rights through the use of sophisticated mercenary spyware, notably PEGASUS, a program developed by the…
Western Sahara crisis – a solution must be based on international law
Download the statement (EN) Download the statement (EUS) Download the statement (ESP) ELDH notes with great concern that the status of West Sahara under international law, recognized for decades by the United Nations, has been questioned first by the previous President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, then by the governments of three…
Petition to the CPT – Follow-up visit to İmralı Prison
TO THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR THE PREVENTION OF TORTURE AND INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT (CPT) Download the Petition EN This communication is addressed to the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT). We respectfully ask the CPT on the Day of the Lawyers in Turkey, to organize a follow-up visit to İmralı…
Statement against the banning of the Peoples‘ Democratic Party (HDP)
The undersigned organisations, active in the field of democracy and human rights protection and promotion, are deeply concerned about the ongoing case before the Constitutional Court in Turkey regarding closure of the opposition party. HDP was founded on October 15, 2012 and has since been a vital part of political life in Turkey. Our organisations…
Failure of the United Kingdom to investigate and prosecute murders
Download the ELDH Press Release ELDH condemns the abject failure of the United Kingdom to investigate and prosecute murders which took place 30 and more years ago ELDH, with individual members and lawyers’ associations in 21 European countries, shares the “deep concern” and “profound concern” expressed by the 1428th Meeting on 8-9 March 2022 of…
ELDH Statement on the Russian invasion of Ukraine (update)
Download statement ELDH Statement on the Russian invasion of Ukraine The ELDH condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has been ongoing since 2014 and intensifying since February 24, 2022. This military incursion is unjustifiable. It constituted a violation of the UN Charter’s prohibition of the use of force (Article 2(4), and of the territorial…
ELDH Statement on torture in Basqe Country/Spain
download the statement The European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and Human Rights (ELDH) is gravely concerned at the recent criminal trial in Spain of the ETA spokesperson Iratxe Sorzabal. We note that it was she who announced the end of ETA’s armed activity, and led to its dissolution. On 7-8 January 2022 the Special…
Press Release on British Collusion in Ireland
Download the Press Release The European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and Human Rights (“the ELDH”) condemns the involvement of agents of the British Government in the killing of 11 people in South Belfast, as confirmed by the release of the Operation Achille Report on 8 February 2022. The ELDH strongly supports the right in…
RESTORE REFUGEE RIGHTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS AT THE EU BORDER WITH BELARUS
download the statement The human tragedy at the EU border with Belarus is yet another example of the EU’s failed refugee policy. The criminal treatment of refugees in Croatia recently revealed by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), the countless drowned refugees in the Mediterranean and recently in the English Channel, and…