ECtHR: HDP deputy Kerestecioğlu's freedom of expression violated

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The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has concluded that Turkey violated freedom of expression of Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) member Filiz Kerestecioğlu, who was stripped of MP status in 2016.

In its decision today (May 4), the court ordered Turkey to pay Kerestecioğlu 5,000 Euro for immaterial damages and 4,000 Euro of court expenses for violating article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

The decision also cites a previous ECtHR judgment about the lift of legislative immunity of Selahattin Demirtaş, the former co-chair of the HDP.

In her application to the ECtHR, Kerestecioğlu had alleged that her parliamentary immunity had been lifted because of her political views.

In May 2016, a proposal for an amendment foreseeing the lift of legislative immunity of all HDP deputies. to the Constitution was sent to the parliament.

A total of 531 MPs cast votes and the proposal passed the parliament with 376 votes against 140. The proposal didn't go to a referendum as it was approved by a supermajority.

After the lift of immunity for HDP deputies, a case was filed against Kerestecioğlu because of a peaceful demonstration she had attended. She was acquitted but prosecutors appealed the verdict. She was acquitted again and prosecutors made a second appeal. The case is still continuing. (AS/VK)