We regret the decision of Turkish Court of Cassation to uphold the convictions of five of the defendants in the Gezi Park case, including the aggravated life imprisonment sentence given to Osman Kavala. It further increases the concerns of the European Union regarding the Turkish judiciary’s adherence to international and European standards.

As a candidate country and a long-standing member of the Council of Europe, Türkiye is expected to comply with democratic standards and practices, respect fundamental rights, which are an integral part of EU-Türkiye relations, and implement the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights.