EI Executive Board condemns unjust prison sentence on trade union activists in Turkey

The EI Executive Board, meeting in Brussels this week, learned with great regret that 25 Turkish trade unionists, members of EGITIM Sen-KESK, which includes the EI affiliate in Turkey, had prison sentences imposed by the Turkish courts for engaging in what would be regarded elsewhere as legitimate trade union activities.

Gülcin Isbert

Therefore, the EI Executive Board firmly condemns the prison sentences to members of its affiliate EGITIM SEN, including former women’s secretary, Gülcin Isbert, awarded with the EI Human and Trade Union Rights Award at the recent EI Congress in Cape Town, for engaging in legitimate trade union activities.

The Board also declared that the imposition of such harsh and unjust sentences on trade union activists is an affront to democracy and a breach of the human and trade union rights of the individuals concerned.

Consequently,  the Board is demanding both the Turkish courts and the Turkish Government to rescind the sentences and ensure that the human and trade union rights of its citizens are protected in accordance with ILO and UN Conventions.

Finally, the EI Executive Board encourages EI member organisations throughout the world to contact the Turkish authorities through the nearest Turkish embassy or directly to the Prime Minister at Government Buildings in the capital city in Ankara, to protest at these outrageous sentences.