Cypriot MEP Costas Mavrides (DIKO - S&D) urged the European Commission to intervene and prevent the politically motivated imprisonment of European citizen and journalist Sener Levent, following a Turkish court order.
Levent, a Cypriot citizen and publisher awarded the European Citizen’s Prize by the European Parliament in 2018, is facing renewed prosecution by Turkey and the Turkish-occupied authorities in northern Cyprus. Mavrides denounced the arrest warrant issued in Turkey, describing it as a move by President Erdoğan’s regime, and called on the Commission to impose effective sanctions against Ankara, citing Turkey’s ongoing disregard for human rights and EU principles.
In its reply, the Commission acknowledged the undermining of freedom of expression and media pluralism in the Turkish Cypriot community, noting the targeting of journalists and media outlets by Turkey. It stressed that Ankara’s treatment of the press violates its obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and rulings of the European Court of Human Rights.
The Commission said it has repeatedly raised these concerns with Turkish counterparts at all levels, pressing Turkey to urgently reverse the negative trend of recent years and show tangible progress in safeguarding fundamental rights.
It further informed Mavrides that through its aid program for the Turkish Cypriot community, the EU funds the Human Rights Platform, a coalition of seven civil society organizations monitoring rights issues in the north, including freedom of expression.
Mavrides, however, criticized the Commission for “carefully avoiding” any reference to concrete measures.
