Türkiye decries awarding of Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize to convict

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) – Türkiye expressed strong disapproval Monday over the recent awarding of the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize to a person who has received a final conviction from the Turkish judiciary.

“It is unacceptable that the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize has been awarded to a person about whom the Turkish judiciary has rendered a final conviction,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The statement said the fact that the prize is awarded as such under the auspices of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which should carry out its activities under the guidance of the principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, is an indication of the total disregard for the acquis of the Council of Europe on human rights and joint efforts spent for many years in pursuit of these ideals.

The ministry argued that awarding this prize to a person who has been rendered a final conviction is a continuation of attempts to politicize law.

The statement contended that “international organizations which are expected to protect common values should not be used as devices in such attempts to create a political agenda.”

In addition, the ministry maintains that this decision not only demonstrates a lack of respect for a judicial verdict but also gravely undermines the reputation and credibility of PACE.

Osman Kavala was awarded the 2023 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize by PACE, which is based in Strasbourg, France, despite having been handed an aggravated life imprisonment sentence in the Gezi Park case.