In Strasbourg, a fresh call to the Council of Europe: Act now for Turkiye
On June 25, around 4,500 gathered in Strasbourg demanding justice in Turkey, near the Council of Europe and ECtHR buildings. The fourth edition of the Strasbourg Justice Gathering took place on June 25 in front of the Council of Europe, continuing its mission to spotlight human rights violations in Türkiye. Organized by the Europe-based Peaceful Actions Platform, with Human Rights Solidarity as a co-organizer, this year’s event centered on the theme “Justice for All.” Around 4,500 Turkish expatriates gathered along Allée de la Robertsau, a 900-meter stretch near the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) buildings.
The demonstration began at 11:30 AM Central European Time with a march and chants, drawing participation from six members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). Among the notable speakers were French MPs Emmanuel Fernandes and Sandra Regol, Spanish MP Laura Castel, Belgian MPs Benjamin Dalle and Christophe Lacroix, and German MP Vinzenz Glaser.
In their speeches, the parliamentarians highlighted systemic injustices in Türkiye, including the tragic death of 15-year-old Sümeyra Gelir—who succumbed to illness three months after being forced to care for her siblings following her mother’s arrest—and the ongoing imprisonment of opposition mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
French MP Sandra Regol underscored the erosion of the rule of law in Türkiye since 2016, stating: “Innocent people are jailed on baseless terrorism charges. Prisons are overflowing 130 new facilities have been built in just a few years. Trials rely on prejudice, not evidence. The repression extends beyond Türkiye’s borders, with abductions abroad continuing unabated. Among Council of Europe members, Türkiye leads in prison overcrowding.”
Participants, including victims of post-coup decree (KHK) dismissals, renewed their call for the Council of Europe to enforce the Yalçınkaya ruling. They urged immediate compliance with ECtHR judgments in the cases of Yalçınkaya, Kavala, and Demirtaş, demanding an end to unlawful detentions that persist despite the court’s rulings.
Human rights activists protested in Strasbourg, wearing yellow T-shirts and holding banners, to denounce ongoing rights violations in Türkiye. The demonstration, near the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), drew around 4,500 people chanting slogans like “Justice for All” and “Children Do Not Belong in Prison.” Representatives from rights groups, including Human Rights Solidarity (HRS), submitted letters to ECtHR and Council of Europe officials, signed by 16 European associations, condemning Türkiye’s worsening rights record since 2016—including political imprisonments, press suppression, and unfair trials.
Protesters criticized Türkiye’s stalled legal system, urging the ECtHR to bypass exhausted domestic remedies and fast-track cases. They also slammed inadequate compensation in some rulings. The rally highlighted specific cases, like 15-year-old Sümeyra Gelir, who died after her mother’s arrest, and jailed opposition mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, calling for international accountability.
Letter to Secretary-General Alain Berset
The letter addressed to Secretary-General Alain Berset demanded public recognition of Türkiye’s failure to comply with rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), particularly in the Yalçınkaya case, and called for the initiation of Article 46(4) violation proceedings. It also urged the Council of Europe to engage with oppressed communities and civil society actors—both within Türkiye and in the diaspora—as legitimate stakeholders in dialogue and reform efforts. Additionally, the letter emphasized the need for coordinated action among member states to uphold democratic values and the integrity of the ECtHR.
Ride for Rights
Under the banner Ride for Rights, Human Rights Solidarity (HRS) mobilized cyclists from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and France to raise global awareness about the ongoing oppression and unlawful practices in Türkiye through a unique and impactful advocacy initiative.
Last year, a dedicated team of five to six cyclists rode an impressive 900 kilometers, starting in the UK and passing through the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and France before joining the march in Strasbourg on October 2. This year, the campaign evolved into a relay-style event, with volunteer teams cycling in their respective countries to contribute to the cause. We extend our deepest gratitude to every cyclist who participated in this powerful display of solidarity.
Justice Wall
Alongside the demonstrations, HRS installed a massive Justice Wall measuring 20 meters long and 2.5 meters high next to the main stage. Over the course of a week, artists painted striking illustrations highlighting human rights violations in Türkiye on the upper section. These included portraits of prominent political prisoners like Osman Kavala, Selahattin Demirtaş, and Ekrem İmamoğlu; a tribute to 15-year-old Sümeyra Gelir, who tragically died from an epileptic seizure on April 3, 2025, after her mother, Melek Gelir, was imprisoned; crackdowns on Boğaziçi University students; suppression of journalists; the struggles of families affected by KHK decrees; and the forced replacement of elected officials in Kurdish and CHP-run municipalities with government-appointed trustees.
The lower section of the wall was reserved for participants, who left heartfelt messages and signatures in support of human rights, justice, democracy, and peace—transforming the installation into a powerful collective statement against injustice.
