The situation of Turkish peace campaigner Sinem Tezyapar, who has been imprisoned by the Turkish authorities for more than four years despite having committed no crimes, has not drawn the attention of any human rights organization. Her health has declined seriously as a result of her imprisonment.
This website first reported on her case 2 years ago. No human rights organisation has taken up her case – perhaps because the human rights transgressions in neighbouring Iran and Russia have overshadowed Turkey’s crimes.
Adnan Oktar, a moderate Muslim preacher, and 215 of his followers were detained by the Turkish government, and she was accused of belonging to his group. Despite the fact that none of them had any prior criminal convictions, they were declared a criminal organisation.
Sinem Tezyapar was in charge of handling international affairs. She brought hundreds of religious and political leaders, including European politicians and members of the US Congress, to Turkey for peace and tolerance debates and conferences.
Although she has not been charged with any wrongdoing, she was declared guilty by affiliation and given a huge prison term. Later, the higher court reversed its decision and mandated a new trial, which is currently under way.
We appeal to the European Parliament and the institutions of the European Union to examine in detail the case of Sinem Tezyapar and to urge Turkey’s President Erdogan to show clemency and set her free.
