On June 25, nearly 5,000 people gathered in front of the Council of Europe (CoE) and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) buildings in Strasbourg to protest human rights violations in Turkey. The demonstrators — including Turkish expatriates, purge victims, rights advocates, and lawmakers — called for the enforcement of ECtHR rulings and concrete action from the CoE. The event, organized by the Peaceful Actions Platform, marked the fourth such large-scale protest.
Protesters demanded that the CoE ensure Turkey’s compliance with binding judgments from the ECtHR, particularly in high-profile cases such as philanthropist Osman Kavala, Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtaş, and teacher Yüksel Yalçınkaya. Wearing yellow T-shirts and holding placards and balloons with messages of justice, the crowd made a strong statement under the slogan “Justice for Everyone.” The demonstration also featured cyclists from across Europe riding under the banner “Pedal for Rights,” and participants dressed as superheroes like Pikachu, Superman, and Batman — symbols of recent mass protests in Turkey.
Members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and several activists spoke out against Turkey’s rights abuses. Two prominent voices from Norway, Dag Aakre and Odd Anders With, delivered powerful messages:
Dag Aakre’s call:
Dag Aakre, a senior leader of the Church of Norway, addressed the crowd:
“It is a deep honor to share this important moment with you, to witness your strength, courage, and love, and to share in the sorrow that you carry. The background for this event is tragic and painful. Martin Niemöller’s famous words remind us of the importance of raising our voice for others. Innocent people in Turkey are unjustly labeled as terrorists, dismissed from their jobs, imprisoned, and left to suffer — and this must stop immediately. We call on the Council of Europe to act against arbitrary detentions and unfounded oppression. Since 2016, over 2,000 refugees from Turkey have been granted permanent residence in Norway. They are wonderful people — it is Turkey’s loss that they were forced to flee. We will remember, we will pray, and we will fight until justice is restored.”
Odd Anders With’s message:
Odd Anders With, journalist, author, and human rights advocate, said:
“Brothers and sisters who believe in justice, democracy, and humanity: I care deeply when innocent people are imprisoned, families are broken, and tens of thousands are forced to flee their country. We expect the Council of Europe to remind Turkey of its binding obligations and take meaningful steps to ensure compliance. There can be no crime or punishment without law. This is not just about members or sympathizers of the Gülen movement — it concerns elected officials and young girls living by their values. We care. Osman Kavala cares. Selahattin Demirtaş cares. Erdoğan does not care. No one can have inner peace while our brothers and sisters are suffering. Justice for everyone, justice now. Delayed justice is no justice at all.”
At the end of the demonstration, organizers delivered letters to CoE Secretary-General Alain Berset, Human Rights Commissioner Michael O’Flaherty, and ECtHR President Mattias Guyomar, urging decisive action to ensure Turkey’s respect for human rights.
