Brussels, 23 September 2012 - The European Commission is monitoring closely the case of Kurdish politician Leyla Zana and all the other trial cases, which seem to be violating human rights and the freedom of speech in Turkey.

In a letter addressed to Members of the European Parliament, Stefan Fule, EU Commissioner on Enlargement, has expressed his concern about the most recent ruling on Kurdish politician Leyla Zana's case and calls for reform of the judicial legislation in Turkey. Commissioner Fule urge Turkey to review its anti-terrorism laws.

"We regard freedom of expression as a fundamental value, the protection of which should always be properly guaranteed, including in the framework of counter-terrorism policy.” Fule has said.

“Turkey should address the issue of a too wide interpretation of terrorism by the courts, and make sure a clear distinction is made in law and in practice between the incitement to violence and the non-violent expression of ideas. We expect Turkey to adequately address this in the announced 4th judicial reform package",

Zana, who is Member of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party, has been sentenced to ten years in prison for “spreading militant propaganda,” a common claim used by Turkish authorities to justify the arrests of countless Kurdish activists, students and politicians throughout the country.













AKnews