Turkey: European Court of Human Rights confirms findings in Öcalan case

On 12 May, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights held that Turkey violated former PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s right to liberty and security and to a fair trial. In particular, the presence of a military judge in parts of the proceedings violated the right to an independent tribunal. The Court also considered that the imposition of the death penalty pursuant to an unfair trial constituted cruel and inhuman treatment.