NEWS CENTER - The Council of Europe warned Ankara against attempts to close the HDP, emphasizing that the party's closure could lead to problems. 

 

"The possible ban on the HDP is highly problematic," said Marija Pejcinovic Buric, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, to the Welt.

 

Political parties, explained the former Croatian Foreign Minister, benefit from the protection of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which protects the right to freedom of assembly.

 

 “The ECHR has explicitly underlined the fundamental role that parties play in a democracy. The Court regards the dissolution or banning of a party as an extreme measure that is justified as a last resort in very exceptional circumstances,” said Pejcinovic Buric.

 

These “exceptional circumstances” include a direct link between a political party and the criminal activities of a terrorist organization, which has been proven by an independent court.

 

“Criticism of the way in which the [Turkish] government carries out anti-terrorism measures cannot be a reason for banning an opposition party,” the European Council leader continued.

 

 

There are various judgments, including against Turkey, in which the ban on a political party was seen as a violation of the human rights standards of the Council of Europe.

 

In fact, the European Court of Human Rights had ruled against Turkey in six out of seven cases.