Joint statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn on today’s decision on Turkish Parliament on the lifting of parliamentary immunity

Author (Corporate)
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Series Details 20.05.16
Publication Date 20/05/2016
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In a Joint statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini and European Commissioner Johannes Hahn on the 20 May 2016 it was said that the decision by the Turkish Parliament on that day to permit the lifting of parliamentary immunity of a large number of Members of Parliament was a matter of serious concern. 'In line with relevant international recommendations, immunity must apply to all on a non-discriminatory basis and decisions on lifting immunity must be based on the merits of each specific case, according to transparent criteria and not subject to any political considerations'.

News sources said that the bill was widely seen as a method of damaging the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and and the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and boosting the power of President Erdogan.

The European Parliament's plenary session held a debate on 8 June regarding this situation. Members of the parliament considered this to be a move by Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan to silence the opposition and grab more powers, which undermines the rule of law and freedom of expression and might harm EU-Turkey relations.

Source Link http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2016/160520_04_en.htm
Related Links
Deutsche Welle, 21.05.16: Turkey: Law experts concerned by stripping of immunity http://dw.com/p/1IsIP
Politico, 20.05.16: Turkish parliament adopts bill to lift lawmakers’ immunity http://www.politico.eu/article/turkish-parliament-immunity-news/
Hürriyet Daily News, 20.05.16: Turkish Parliament controversially OKs trial of deputies facing legal cases http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-parliament-controversially-oks-trial-of-deputies-facing-legal-cases.aspx?pageID=238&nID=99434&NewsCatID=338
ESO: Background information: Turkey’s relations with Europe are in flux following Ahmet Davutoğlu’s resignation http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkeys-relations-with-europe-are-in-flux-following-ahmet-davutoglus-resignation/
EurActiv, 20.05.16: New Turkish bill denounced as power grab http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/new-turkish-bill-denounced-as-power-grab/
ESO: Background information: New Turkish premier vows allegiance to Erdogan http://www.europeansources.info/record/new-turkish-premier-vows-allegiance-to-erdogan/
EUObserver, 20.05.16: Muted EU response to Turkey's attack on opposition MPs https://euobserver.com/migration/133500
Politico, 08.06.16: Erdoğan lifts MPs’ immunity in move to prosecute pro-Kurdish members http://www.politico.eu/article/recep-tayyip-erdogan-lifts-mps-politicans-immunity-prosecute-pro-kurdish-members-bill-constitution-terror-related/
European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 08.06.16: Stripping 138 Turkish MPs of their immunity undermines the rule of law, say MEPs http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160608IPR31206/
EUObserver, 09.06.16: MEPs say Turkish president undermines democracy https://euobserver.com/foreign/133757

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