Selahattin Demirtaş, the imprisoned former co-chair of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), abstained from a lawyer visit in Edirne F Type Closed Prison on Wednesday, protesting against a demeaning search procedure.
His lawyer, Ramazan Demir, reported that Demirtaş rejected the prison’s demand to remove his shoes for searches, a new measure allegedly directed by the Justice Ministry.
Demir highlighted the timing of this imposition as particularly sensitive, coming ahead of imminent elections. He condemned the search demand as an affront to Demirtaş’s dignity, stating on social media that such measures are seen as oppressive and unacceptable by Demirtaş, who has decided not to attend future visits from lawyers, family or MPs under these conditions. The HDP has been promptly informed and plans to challenge this directive with the Justice Ministry.
The situation coincides with the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers meeting in Strasbourg, where Turkey’s adherence to the European Court of Human Rights’ (ECtHR) orders, particularly regarding Demirtaş’s release, is under scrutiny. The potential for an infringement procedure looms, with decisions expected to be announced on 15 March, highlighting the international dimension of Demirtaş’s detention and the broader implications for Turkey’s human rights obligations.