The Netherlands is backing down in riot with Erdogan | Inland

The ten countries had called on Turkey to comply with a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights and to release Turkish businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala, and the ambassadors were summoned to the Turkish ministry on Tuesday for this. In addition to the Netherlands, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, New Zealand, the United States, France and Germany also signed the appeal to release Kavala.

In a joint statement on Monday, they said they respect Turkey’s internal affairs. The statement can be seen as a bow to Erdogan. Turkey’s Anadolu Agency news agency reported Monday that Erdogan “welcomes” the countries’ statement, and that the ambassadors may remain in their posts.

‘Painful display’

Among the ten ambassadors is the Dutch ambassador De Kwaasteniet. “The Netherlands adheres to Article 41 of the Vienna Convention,” she writes in an explanation on Twitter. Under Article 41 of that pact, diplomats must abide by the applicable laws and regulations of a host country and must not interfere in the internal affairs of that country.

The handout to the Turkish regime caused furious reactions in the House of Representatives. “A painful display,” says VVD member Ruben Brekelmans. “Erdogan is barking and ten countries are pulling back with their tails between their legs. I understand we don’t want to escalate the feud with Turkey any further, but this response is a sign of weakness.”

Labor MP and former Turkey rapporteur for the EU Kati Piri speaks of an ’embarrassing display’. “The ambassadors threatened with expulsion now declare that they do not interfere in internal affairs in Turkey. The world upside down.”

Involvement in the foiled coup

Kavala has now been in prison for four years. Last year he was acquitted of financing protests in Istanbul in 2013 after a life sentence, but was immediately charged with involvement in the thwarted coup in 2016.

The European Court ordered the government of Erdogan, which the activist Kavala is critical of, to release him in December 2019. The court in Strasbourg says he is being held in order to silence him.

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which oversees the implementation of human rights court rulings, announced last month that it would open criminal proceedings against Turkey if Kavala is not released before its next meeting on November 30. The consequence of this could be that the country’s voting rights and membership could be suspended in the country organization that monitors democracy and human rights.

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