Turkey: Amnesty Chair to be released after more than a year behind bars

Following a decision by a court in Istanbul to release the Chair of Amnesty International Turkey, Taner Kılıç , after more than fourteen months behind bars, Kumi Naidoo, Amnesty International’s new Secretary General said:

“We are overjoyed at this news. It has taken us more than a year of campaigning and struggle to get here, but it appears that Taner will finally be freed. Whilst we rejoice at this decision, our celebrations will only truly begin when he is safely back at home in the arms of his wife and daughters.

“But beneath the smiles of joy and relief there will be sorrow, anger and a steely determination. Sorrow for all the things Taner has missed during his cruel incarceration. Anger that the baseless charges against him and the Istanbul 10 have not been dropped. And determination to continue our fight for human rights in Turkey and for the release of all other human rights defenders who have been unjustly jailed in the vicious crackdown.

“Today we take a moment to celebrate, but tomorrow our struggle will continue, re-energized by the example set by Taner himself - a man who knows the importance of human rights and is willing to dedicate his life to defending them.”