Statement following the death of Ebru Timtik, in solidarity with all lawyers and other comrades facing persecution in Turkey

The Haldane Society honours Ebru Timtik’s courage and sacrifice in persevering in a 238-day hunger strike and death fast, while mourning her death and deploring the Turkish state’s many crimes against Ebru and her comrades.

Ebru was sentenced to 13 years and six months in prison in March 2019 for membership of a proscribed organisation, having been arrested, tried and convicted along with 17 other lawyers known for defending opponents of the AKP government. She began her hunger strike on 2 January 2020 while she persisted in challenging her conviction in Turkey’s appeal courts, based on the many abuses of her right to a fair trial. Aytaç Ünsal, who had been sentenced to 10 years and six months, joined the strike on 2 February.

As Ebru’s health deteriorated, courts and detaining authorities colluded to abuse her and weaken her resolve, hastening her death in the process. She and Aytaç applied for release from prison on health grounds but were refused, and were instead removed to separate hospitals on 31 July. Friends and family described conditions in the hospital as worse than in prison: both protesters were prevented from sleeping, and cold air was blown into Ebru’s room.

Ebru died on 27 August, but the state’s campaign of cruelty continued. The following day police abducted her body, causing fear among her mourners that she would not be allowed a burial. She was then driven directly to the site of the funeral so that friends and colleagues could not carry her body there. Those attending the funeral were attacked with teargas outside the cemetery, and police backed up with armoured vehicles and a helicopter tried to prevent people from gathering outside the Bar Association to commemorate her.

Ebru’s is the fourth death this year of a hunger striker in a Turkish prison. She is preceded by Helin Bölek, İbrahim Gökçek, and Mustafa Koçak. Each of these deaths calls on us to strengthen our solidarity with all comrades risking their lives in Turkey, and to honour their sacrifice in our own work.

As we mourn Ebru, we celebrate the news of Aytaç Ünsal’s release on 3 September, undoubtedly in response to domestic and international pressure following Ebru’s death. His release represents a victory for justice and accountability, and shows that protest remains effective even where tyranny may appear complete. We note the European Court of Human Rights’ failure to recognise the imminent danger to Aytaç’s life, days before the Turkish decision to release him on health grounds.

We now join colleagues in Turkey and across Europe in urging the release of the 16 lawyers who remain unlawfully imprisoned. We call on the British government and European Union to end their political and material support for the Turkish government, which facilitates this and other injustices.