Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
441. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps the Government will take in response to the decision of the Turkish Government to summon the ambassadors of a number of EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53023/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 18 October, 2021, a number of Embassies in Ankara (Canada, France, Finland, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden and the USA) issued a joint statement regarding the ongoing detention of Turkish businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala, noting that the date marked four years since his detention. The joint statement called for a just and speedy resolution to his case, in line with Turkey’s international obligations and domestic laws. Noting the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights on the matter, they called for Turkey to secure his urgent release.
The respective Ambassadors were subsequently summoned by the Foreign Ministry to be informed that the joint statement was deemed an inappropriate act of attempted interference in the Turkish judicial system. In a speech on 23 October, President Erdogan also heavily criticised the joint statement and indicated he would seek to have the Ambassadors concerned declared ‘Persona Non Grata’.
Subsequent engagement between the relevant Embassies and the Turkish Foreign Ministry worked to identify options for resolution of the matter. In a series of tweets and statements issued on 25 October, the Ambassadors concerned confirmed their compliance with Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. President Erdogan ‘welcomed’ these statements and noted his belief that the Ambassadors had ‘ taken a step back from the slander against our country’.
It is to be welcomed that no formal action was taken against the Ambassadors for issuing a statement in connection with the case of Osman Kavala. Ireland fully shares the concerns regarding the continued imprisonment of Mr. Kavala. Ireland will continue to engage closely with EU and international partners in Ankara to monitor developments in relation to this case and will continue to support calls for Turkey to comply with the relevant rulings of the European Court of Human Rights which have urged Mr. Kavala's release.
