Source: European Parliament
The Commission is aware of Mr Can Atalay’s case as attested by the Country Enlargement Report published in October 2024[1]. As stated in the report, although the principle of separation of powers and judicial independence is enshrined in the Türkiye’s Constitution and other legislative provisions, politicisation nevertheless increased.
In many instances, as in Mr Atalay’s case, lower courts ignored or delayed the implementation of the Constitutional Court’s rulings. According to the report, the Turkish Constitutional Court ruled that the right to vote and be elected and the right to personal security and liberty of Mr Atalay had been violated.
Since Mr Atalay’s arrest in April 2022, the Commission has been monitoring the developments of his case. The EU Delegation to Ankara is following up on the imprisonment conditions of Mr Atalay through its contacts with his colleagues, lawyers, and other stakeholders. However, it has not been possible to visit him in prison.
As stated in the Joint Communication on EU-Türkiye relations of November 2023, dialogue on the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms remains an integral part of the EU-Türkiye relationship[2]. The Commission will continue monitoring the situation of fundamental rights and the rule of law in Türkiye.