A delegation from the Council of Europe, led by Media Freedom Rapporteur Stefan Shennach, discussed pressing human rights issues with Kurdish MPs from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party in the Turkish parliament on Tuesday. Key topics included the solitary confinement of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan and non-compliance with European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) rulings

During the meeting, the representatives focused on the urgent need to adhere to international human rights standards. “It’s crucial that Turkey aligns with the European Council’s principles on these matters,” stated Sezai Temelli, Deputy Group Chair of the DEM Party. The discussions also touched on the governance issue concerning the appointment of trustees to Hakkari (Colemêrg) Municipality, which has been a contentious point in terms of local democratic governance.