CHP leader to address CoE forum in Strasbourg

ANKARA

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu will give a speech at the Council of Europe’s (CoE) World Democracy Forum in Strasbourg, and will also meet the CoE and Venice Commission secretary generals to express the CHP’s stance on the current situation of democracy in Turkey.

The CHP leader will pay a visit to Strasbourg between Nov. 7 and 9, during which he will address a panel called “Is populism a problem?” on Nov. 8.

“Kılıçdaroğlu’s speech will reflect a global perspective on populism and its destructive effects on law, democracy and mutual living conditions,” CHP Deputy Leader Öztürk Yılmaz said on Nov. 6.

“He will emphasize the polarizing effects of populism and its destructive effects on migrants,” Yılmaz added.

The French Minister for European Affairs, Nathalie Loiseau, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark and Canadian Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the European Union and Europe, Stéphane Dion will be present during Kılıçdaroğlu’s session.

This year’s “World Forum for Democracy” focuses on “reviewing novel initiatives and approaches, which can enhance democratic practices and help parties and media, but also other political actors, to re-connect to citizens, make informed choices and function optimally in 21st-century democracy.”

The three-day forum will also be attended by academics, politicians, practitioners and young people from all around the world to discuss the topic of “populism and democracy.”

Following his speech at the forum, Kılıçdaroğlu will meet with Turkish citizens in Strasbourg.

Kılçdaroğlu to meet CoE and Venice Commission

In his one-day visit to Strasbourg, Kılıçdaroğlu is also scheduled to hold a meeting with CoE Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland and Venice Commission Secretary General Gianni Buquicchio.

Yılmaz stated Kılıçdaroğlu will touch upon issues concerning Turkey’s relations with the CoE at his meeting with Jagland. He also stated that during the meeting with Buquicchio, Kılıçdaroğlu will convey the CHP’s concerns regarding Turkey’s relations with the EU and its recent cases in the European Court of Human Rights.

Kılıçdaroğlu will reportedly voice the CHP’s concerns over the suspension of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in Turkey based on the 15th article of the ECHR, which states that states “may take measures derogating from its obligations” in times of war or other public emergencies.

He will also reportedly convey the CHP’s reports on the regulation of the state of emergency in Turkey, which has been extended five times following the July 2016 coup attempt, and has led to the imprisonment of journalists and politicians and human rights violations.