Statement on the eve of the EU-Turkey leaders’ meeting in Varna

The Platform for an Independent Judiciary in Turkey is highly appreciative of the
dialogue based in high-level contacts between Turkey and Europe which still exist
and are cherished but it strongly requests that the prime aim of such exchanges is
to convince and urge Turkey to:
a. return to the rule of law
b. stop procedures where there is no proof of any involvement in criminal offence
c. free all political prisoners
d. reinstate unduly/unfairly dismissed judges and prosecutors and return their
confiscated assets
e. end the state of emergency and return to the principles of a fair trial as
established in the
European Convention of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
f. to consider the very recent decisions of EHCRof 20th March 2018 in
condemning Turkey for violations of the right to liberty and security and of the
right to freedom of expression.