PINAR SELEK-Pınar Selek case is in European Parliament's Turkey Progress Report;

Pınar Selek case is in European Parliament's Turkey Progress Report

The European Parliament endorsed its latest progress report on Turkey on 18th of April, 2013. The progress report, drafted by European Parliament Turkey rapporteur Dutch Christian Democrat Ria Oomen-Ruijten, was approved with 451 votes. The report details developments in Turkey in 2012 and prescribes policy recommendations in areas it sees as problematic.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has praised the adoption of the European Parliament’s (EP) 2012 progress report on Turkey, saying resolutions issued by lawmakers are useful to the extent that they are fair and objective.

In the report 61 issues listed, one of which is Pınar Selek case.

In the 10th article of the report European Parliament mentioned its concerns on Pınar Selek case as follows:

"The European Parliament underlines the importance of providing effective protection for human-rights defenders; draws particular attention to the trial of Pinar Selek, which has lasted almost 15 years and, despite three acquittal decisions, resulted in a life sentence pronounced on 24 January 2013 by Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 12; takes the view that this trial is an example of the shortcomings of Turkey's justice system"