UN human right experts call for effective investigation into Ebru Timtik's death

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Experts from the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner have called for an "effective investigation" into lawyer Ebru Timtik's death.

Demanding a fair trial, Timtik had been on a death fast for 238 days and lost her life on August 27.

In a joint statement, 13 UN human rights experts said that Timtik's death was "entirely preventable" and called on Turkey to release other human rights defenders.

"No one should have to die in pursuit of a fair trial; it is a fundamental human right," they said. "This is an utter waste of a human life, and we are greatly dismayed at the death of this courageous woman human rights defender, as well as the circumstances that led to her death."

Ebru Timtik died on 27 August 2020 after three years in detention and a hunger strike lasting 238 days. Along with other lawyers from the People's Law Bureau, she was arrested in September 2017 and sentenced to 13 years and six months in prison for membership of a terrorist organization solely based on witness statements. She went on a hunger strike on January 2, claiming her right to a fair trial.

Shortly after the lawyers were arrested, the UN human rights experts formally asked the government to explain the legal basis for their arrest and the accusations against them.

"We asked the Turkish Government in 2017 to explain how their arrest and conviction were compatible with the State's obligations under international human rights law", said the experts, highlighting allegations of unlawful detention, unfair trial and restrictions on the freedom of expression and of association. "While we acknowledge and appreciate the engagement of the authorities with us on the issue, we regret that little was done to prevent this tragic outcome."

The experts called for an effective investigation into her death. "We call on the authorities to establish an accountability process for the victim and to uphold fair trial principles by reopening the cases of arrested human rights lawyers. The Government of Turkey must also take immediate action to release individuals detained and sentenced contrary to international law."

Paris bar gives honorary membership to Timtik, Ünsal and Elçi

Paris Bar Association has announced that it gave honorary membership to Ebru Timtik, Aytaç Ünsal, a lawyer who in on a death fast as well, and Tahir Elçi, the former Diyarbakır Bar Chair who was shot dead during a press meeting in November 2015.

The bar said on Twitter that it would never forget Timtik, who lost her life demanding a fair trial for herself and her people and work to make Aytaç Ünsal live. (AS/VK)