Erdogan: "ECHR has always ruled against Turkey with political motivations"

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at an official ceremony on Thursday that the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) have always been politically motivated when Turkey has been concerned.

Speaking at a ceremony for the new judicial year in capital Ankara, Erdogan said:

"Everyone in this country is obliged to comply with the laws, and above all, with ethical rules, as they are carrying out a struggle. Every adverse move, every coercive action, every provocation, every speculative effort and every rumor constitute the greatest evil deeds against our country. I am now telling this particularly in the context of some assessments regarding ECHR. It rules with political motivations when Turkey is concerned, and unfortunately rules otherwise, with some other motivations, when France and Germany are concerned."

The ECHR's critical decision on 11 July that Turkey failed to comply with its ruling in the case of the jailed human rights defender Osman Kavala is likely to lead to sanctions against Turkey by the Council of Europe (CoE), including a possible suspension from the Council.

As of 31 December 2021, Turkey was ranked the second country, after Russia, in terms of pending applications in the ECHR.

While 24.20% of all applications have been lodged against Russia, 21.70% have been lodged against Turkey.