The Monitoring Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) elected the Head of the Estonian delegation to the PACE Marianne Mikko as the co-rapporteur for the report on post-monitoring dialogue with Turkey.

According to Mikko, the report on monitoring of Turkey will give PACE an overview of the latest worrisome developments in Turkey.

In Mikko’s opinion, the attempted coup of 15 July forces the Turkish authorities to act resolutely, but the question is which kind of harsh measures are justified. “Arresting of nearly ten members of the Turkish parliament, depriving of 155 MPs of their immunity, and massive dismissals of officials and judges are just some examples of the latest developments in Turkey, and they are serious violations of the principles of democracy, rule of law and human rights. The Monitoring Committee is also concerned about the discussions on the legalisation of capital punishment in Turkey, which directly contradicts the principles of the Council of Europe,” Mikko said.

“The assassination of the Russian ambassador to Turkey yesterday also shows that the situation there is really complicated. I am planning to go to Ankara and Istanbul in the beginning of January, in order to meet the leading politicians of Turkey as a PACE rapporteur,” Mikko said.

Upon accession to the Council of Europe, each member state commits itself to safeguarding democracy, rule of law and human rights, which are the priorities of the Council of Europe. The rapporteurs of the Monitoring Committee visit Turkey on information gathering missions, monitor the situation in these areas, and prepare a report for the PACE with their recommendations.

The second co-rapporteur on Turkey is Ingebjørg Godskesen from Norway, who represents the political group of European Conservatives.

Riigikogu Press Service
Kati Varblane
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