EI has welcomed the release on bail of 22 trade unionists, after 289 days in jail. Among the released are Mehmet Bozgeyik and Sakine Eren Y?lmaz, respectively General Secretary and Women’s Secretary of Egitim Sen, EI’s national affiliate.
On 10 April, the Ankara 13th High Criminal Court held its first hearing in the trial of 72 members and leaders of the Federation of public employees’ trade unions (KESK), including many of Egitim Sen’s members. All had been arrested on 25 June 2012 in 21 Turkish cities allegedly for supporting terrorist organisations.
While some of the detainees, including KESK President Lami Özgen, were released on bail a few days after their arrests and six others were released in February 2013 pending trial, 22 trade unionists remained in detention.
Violation of Turkish and international law
The lawyers of the trade unionists have argued that this trial violates both Turkish and international laws, as the prosecution failed to respect decisions of the Turkish courts and the European Court of Human Rights.
On 10 April, the Ankara Court announced the withdrawal of the arrest warrants against the trade unionists. They were released on bail under the condition that they report to the police regularly and do not leave Turkey.
The prosecutor is still requesting up to 15 years’ imprisonment for the defendants.
Egitim Sen’s International officer, Açalya Temel, indicated that the defendants are “not free of charges and the trial is still ongoing. But their release, after a 10-month – unnecessary and unlawful – detention, has at least made their families and colleagues happy”.
She underlined that international observers are committed to continue monitoring the situation closely, including other court cases involving Egitim Sen and KESK.
International solidarity
Thirty trade unionists from nine European countries travelled to Ankara to demonstrate their solidarity and support to the defendants.
Trade unions affiliated to the EI’s European region, the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), organised a delegation to support their colleagues.
Representatives from GEW/Germany, NASUWT/United Kingdom, SNES-FSU/France, DLF/Denmark, Lärarförbundet/Sweden, OLME/Greece, DOE/Greece, KTOS/Cyprus, and KTOEOS/Cyprus were present at the hearing.
The court’s proceedings were also observed by many countries’ embassies, as well as national and international human rights organisations and trade union confederations.
“This is a great success for the international trade union solidarity,” stressed GEW President Ulrich Thöne, commenting on the court decision.
“We must not stop our efforts and continue to exert pressure, so that all colleagues still in Turkish prisons are set free,” he added.
EI: Turkish authorities must respect union rights
ETUCE Director Martin Rømer stated: “We welcome the release of the imprisoned Turkish colleagues, and are delighted to see such a strong solidarity among trade unionists across Europe.”
He went on to say that EI and its European affiliates urge Turkish public authorities to respect human and trade union rights and guarantee released trade unionists a fair trial.
This is not the first time that Turkish authorities have used anti-terrorism laws to crack down on trade unionists. This new trial against trade unionists is part of a disturbing pattern of harassment and repression against individuals and groups seeking to exercise their basic rights as citizens. The last attack against KESK and Egitim Sen occurred on 19 February 2013, when more than 100 trade unionists were arrested in 28 cities across the country.
The next court hearing will take place in Ankara on 8 July 2013.
To learn more about these arrests and sign the petition launched on LabourStart, please click here