The Netherlands is backing down in riot with Erdogan | Inland
The ten countries have established Turkey to an agreement of the European Court of Rights of the Turkish ministry. In addition to the Netherlands, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, New Zealand, the United States, France and Germany also signed the appeal to release Kavala.
In a substantive business of Turkey know. The statement can be seen as a bow to Erdogan. Turkey’s Anadolu Agency news agency reported Monday that Erdogan “welcomes” the countries’ statement, and that the ambassadors may remain in their posts.
‘Painful display’
Among the ten ambassadors is the Dutch ambassador De Kwaasteniet. “The Netherlands adheres to Article 41 of the Vienna Convention,” she writes in an explanation on Twitter. Under Article 41 of that pact, diplomats must abide by the laws and regulations of a host country and must not interfere in the internal affairs of that country.
The handout to the Turkish regime caused furious reactions in the House of Representatives.
“What the hell?!” wonders CU leader Gert-Jan Segers. “If we love human rights and freedom, we have a duty to meddle in the internal affairs of other countries. And certainly with that of Erdogan’s Turkey!”
“An important exhibition”, says VVD member Ruben Brekelmans. “Erdogan is barking and ten countries are pulling back with their tails between their legs. I understand that we don’t want to escalate the feud with Turkey any further, but this response is a sign of weakness.”
Labor MP and former Turkey rapporteur for the EU Kati Piri speaks of an ’embarrassing display’. “The ambassadors threatened with deportation now declare that they do not interfere in deportation matters in Turkey. The world upside down.”
“Sluggish politics”, says Derk Jan Eppink (JA21). “Poland is a big mouth, but if Erdogan barks, the Netherlands will go through the setbacks.”
Involvement in the foiled coup
Kavala has been in prison for four years. Last year, after a life sentence, he was acquitted of financing protests in Istanbul in 2013, but was immediately charged with acting in the thwarted coup in 2016.
The European Court already ordered the release of Erdogan’s government, which activist Kavala is critical of, in December 2019. The court in Strasbourg says he is being held in order to silence him.
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe announced last month to initiate criminal proceedings against Turkey if Kavala is not released before its next meeting on November 30. A follow-up to this may be that the voting rights and membership of the country can be suspended in the country organization that monitors democracy and human rights.