The UIA co-signs a press release regarding pre-trial detention of Muharrem Erbey

The UIA has co-signed a press release denouncing the protracted and unjustified detention of Turkish lawyer Mr. Muharrem Erbey, Vice President of the Human Rights Association (?nsan Haklar? Derne?i – ?HD), former President of the ?HD's branch office in Diyarbak?r and recipient of the Ludovic-Trarieux International Human Rights Prize for 2012. The press release was distributed on January 10, 2014.

Mr. Muharrem Erbey was arrested on December 24, 2009 for “being a member of an illegal organisation”. These charges were based on his alleged membership to the Kurdish Communities Union (KCK). However, the minutes taken during Mr. Erbey's interrogation on December 25, 2009 by the Prosecution clearly showed that the real reasons for his arrest were linked to his legitimate human rights work.

The UIA together with other human rights organisations urge the Turkish authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Erbey and to put an end to acts of harassment against Turkish human rights defenders.

Please find below the joint press release.