In the wake of the recently published Turkey Report 2025, concerns regarding the continuing deterioration of the rule of law and human rights in Türkiye remain at the forefront of European political discourse. Yet, against the backdrop of global security challenges and ongoing NATO summits, the European Union continues to deepen its cooperation with Ankara on critical issues such as migration, security, and defense.
To unpack this complex dynamic, we sat down with Vladimir Prebilič, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Greens/EFA and the Shadow Rapporteur for the Turkey Report 2025. In an exclusive interview, Prebilič offered candid insights into the European Parliament’s stance, the leverage the EU holds, and the non-negotiable nature of democratic values.
The Balancing Act: Geopolitics vs. Democratic Values
One of the most pressing questions in EU-Türkiye relations is whether geopolitical interests are beginning to outweigh fundamental democratic values. MEP Prebilič acknowledged the friction between different EU institutions regarding this issue, noting that while the European Commission and the Council often navigate the pragmatic waters of geopolitics, the European Parliament remains the steadfast pillar for human rights.
“We are not happy that the Commission continues to somehow support the government in Ankara and try to outmaneuver the latest developments in Türkiye,” Prebilič stated.
Having recently visited the Silivri prison, an experience he described as deeply depressing, Prebilič emphasized that the European Parliament will remain vigilant. He described the dynamic between the EU institutions as a “good cop, bad cop” scenario, with the Parliament firmly playing the role of the defender of rights.
“Democracy and democratic values can never be traded to any kind of geopolitical interest,” he affirmed.
Enforcing ECHR Judgments: The Power of EU Leverage
Despite repeated rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), individuals in Türkiye continue to face imprisonment on grounds the Court has already deemed unlawful. When asked what more the EU can do to ensure the effective implementation of these judgments, Prebilič pointed directly to the economic and diplomatic leverage held by the European Commission.
He identified two primary tools for persuasion:
- Visa Liberalization: “Türkiye would like to get a so-called visa liberalization policy. My advice to the Commission… would be: ‘Yes, let’s talk about it, but deliver that and that.'”
- Economic Cooperation: Highlighting market integration and tariff approaches, Prebilič noted that deeper access to the European market must come with conditional requirements regarding the rule of law.
“If we undermine the rule of law, we undermine democracy, and this means that we undermine the essence of everything that we stand for,” he warned.
Women’s Rights and the Istanbul Convention
Türkiye’s historic position as the first country to ratify the Istanbul Convention stands in stark contrast to its withdrawal in 2021. Addressing the recent detentions of female students and mothers, as well as allegations of degrading treatment, Prebilič expressed profound disappointment.
He framed the protection of women’s rights and vulnerable groups not just as a legal obligation, but as the ultimate test of leadership.
“Your attitude is weighted through the lenses of how you handle the vulnerable part of society,” Prebilič explained. “If you are a good statesman, you would never leave the vulnerable person behind; you will protect them.”
While acknowledging it as a domestic issue, he assured that the European Union will continue to be highly sensitive to these developments and actively support improvements.
The Misuse of Anti-Terrorism Legislation
The 2025 Report addresses the broad application of anti-terrorism legislation in Türkiye. However, critics have noted omissions regarding specific groups, such as the criminalization of humanitarian assistance toward individuals accused of links to the Gulen movement. Prebilič acknowledged that the omission of specific movements was a “trade-off” during the drafting of the resolutions, but he did not mince words regarding the core issue.
Drawing on his background as a university professor and his past work with the Council of Europe, Prebilič argued that an overreliance on broad security measures at the expense of human rights signifies a failure in governance.
“Whenever you are asked by authority that you have to give your personal and human rights on the balance with security, then something is wrong within the country,” he stated.
Recalling a past debate with former Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu, Prebilič reiterated his stance: fighting terrorism is essential, but it must not be used as a pretext to threaten citizens. “I see that this legislation can be misused even to ‘handle’ different kinds of people within society. This is the wrong way to go,” he concluded.
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