Yonca Şık: ECtHR Causes Unlawfulness to be Reproduced in Turkey

Click to read the article in Turkish

Wife of journalist Ahmet Şık who has been imprisoned for 291 days, Yonca Şık has spoken following the panel she attended at Frankfurt Book Fair about ECtHR practices.

Şık criticized the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) which granted Turkey an extension of time until October 23 for submitting a defense on imprisoned Cumhuriyet staff, and said, “We are speaking about personal rights and freedoms here. The ECtHR acting like there is law in Turkey causes the unlawfulness to be reproduced in Turkey”.

“The ECtHR acts like there is independent judiciary in Turkey”

In fact, the most important thing for all imprisoned fellows and Ahmet is the issue of ECtHR at this stage. The government of Turkey was supposed to submit a defense to the ECtHR for the Cumhuriyet detainees until October 3.

Turkey attempted to extend the time for six weeks but the ECtHR granted three, until October 23. The ECtHR grants time of almost 19 weeks. Turkey will make its defense about Ahmet on October 23.

We are speaking about personal rights and freedoms here. The ECtHR acting like there is law, independent judiciary in Turkey causes the unlawfulness to be reproduced in Turkey”. (EKN/TK)