Statement by 14 Human Rights Organizations: Free Amnesty Turkey Chair Kılıç

Click to read the article in Turkish

Human rights organizations have come together demanding release of detained Chair of Amnesty International, human rights defender Taner Kılıç.

Kılıç was taken into custody by İzmir Anti-Terror Police on June 6, 2017. Police also searched Kılıç’s home and office.

Following organizations signed the statement about Kılıç: Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, Amnesty International Turkey, Progressive Legists Association, Libertarian Legists Platform, Human Rights Agenda Association, Peoples’ Bridge Association, Solidarity with Refugees Association, Kaos-GL, Rights Initiative, Konak City Council, Refugee Rights Center, International Refugee Rights Association, Social and Legal Researches Foundation.

US Department of State: Persistent curbs on free speech erode the foundations of democratic society

U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Heather Nauert said this in press statement. 

“The United States is deeply concerned by the recent detention of Taner Kiliç, Chair of Amnesty International Turkey - the latest in a series of respected human rights defenders, journalists, academics, and activists detained in Turkey. These detentions, often with little evidence or transparency, are an alarming trend.

"As we have expressed to the Turkish government on numerous occasions, persistent curbs on free speech and other freedoms erode the foundations of democratic society”, the statement said.

It also noted that “the detentions of individuals such as Mr. Kilic chill public debate and undermine the quality of democracy”.