The European Union welcomes the information on the recent visit to Turkey by the Office of the Secretary General.  We welcome the cooperation by Turkey with the Council of Europe in general and to have facilitated what we understand has been a fruitful visit.

Turkey is an important country to the Council of Europe and to the European Union with which we cooperate closely in many areas. The European Union continues to closely follow the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Turkey where academics, civil society and freedom of expression are under increasing pressure. The situation remains of serious concern.

In our dialogue with Turkey we have made it clear that there is an urgent need for Turkey to reverse the trend of continued dismissals, suspensions and arrests, which includes the detention in July of another ten human rights defenders. The EU repeats its call for Turkey to immediately release the arrested human rights defenders pending their trial. The EU calls on the Turkish authorities to respect the European Convention on Human Rights and the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights, namely the principle of presumption of innocence. All human rights defenders facing arrest should be secured the right to a fair trial.

The EU seizes the opportunity to remind Turkey that freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and association are fundamental pillars of a democratic society, and that strong and independent NGOs are central elements of any democratic system. Fundamental freedoms must be fully respected and human rights defenders should be able to fulfil their legitimate activities.

The EU invites Turkey to reaffirm its commitment to the common Council of Europe values and principles of the rule of law, democracy and human rights. The European Union stands ready to support Turkey address the concerns and recommendations of the Council of Europe and its bodies, including on the State of Emergency.