EU statement on the detention of Enes Hocaoğulları Congress of Local and Regional Authorities youth delegate in respect of Türkiye

EU statement on the detention of Enes Hocaoğulları Congress of Local and Regional Authorities youth delegate in respect of Türkiye

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States. We thank the President of the Congress for Local and Regional Authorities, Mr. Marc Cools, for his remarks.

The EU strongly believes that young persons are not only beneficiaries, but essential partners in building sustainable, peaceful, and inclusive societies. It is therefore important for youth participation to move beyond symbolism. It must be institutionalised, inclusive, and adequately resourced.

The EU follows closely the developments concerning the arrest of Enes Hocaoğulları, a youth delegate to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in respect of Türkiye. In that regard, we welcome the fact-finding visit to Ankara on 4-5 September by the Congress delegation and its facilitation by the Turkish authorities. We welcome his release on 8 September.

The freedom of expression is a fundamental principle of European democracy and a key right safeguarded by the European Convention on Human Rights, which all Member States have committed to uphold as a member of the Council of Europe.

The EU recalls that "the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights has made clear, over many years, that criminalising the legitimate exercise of free speech has a chilling effect. Not only does it violate the human rights of the individual prosecuted: it weakens democracy and affects society as a whole."

We call on all Member States to continue investing in young persons, to trust them in decision-making processes and with leadership, and to ensure that their voices are heard and acted upon. The future of multilateralism depends on the full, equal and meaningful participation of the world's young people.

The following countries align with this statement: Albania, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, Monaco, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Serbia.