In June 2025, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe held its 1531st Human Rights meeting to supervise the execution of the Yalçınkaya v. Türkiye judgment, a landmark ruling of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) that revealed systemic issues in Türkiye’s use of anti-terror legislation.
In response to the Committee’s decision adopted during this session, ASSEDEL has issued a formal assessment highlighting its deep concerns regarding the lack of substantive progress in Türkiye’s implementation of the judgment. Despite the enhanced supervision procedure, the Committee’s decision appeared overly optimistic and omitted key facts—most notably the continued prosecution and conviction of individuals based on evidentiary practices previously condemned by the ECtHR.
This letter, authored by ASSEDEL’s Secretary General, provides a detailed analysis of the legal and structural shortcomings that persist in Türkiye. It emphasizes that the domestic judiciary has failed to align with the Convention standards, and that Mr. Yüksel Yalçınkaya—whose case prompted the ECtHR judgment—remains convicted, contrary to the principle of restitutio in integrum.
ASSEDEL urges the Committee of Ministers to demand concrete and verifiable evidence of implementation and to reject misleading signals that could be interpreted by Turkish authorities as tacit approval of ongoing violations.
The full letter is available here.