EU Criticizes Kosovo, Turkey Over Deportation Of Six Erdogan Political Foes


Date posted: April 4, 2018

The European Union on April 3 criticized Kosovo’s deportation of six Turks who were political foes of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying it “raised questions” about both Pristina’s and Ankara’s “respect” for human rights.

The deportations on March 29, which were approved by Kosovo’s interior minister and intelligence chief, prompted their dismissal a day later by Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, who said the officials took action without his permission.

The Turks who were deported had ties to the Fethullah Gulen movement that Erdogan blames for a failed 2016 coup attempt against his government. Gulen, a Muslic cleric, and his followers have denied the allegations.

Both Kosovo and Turkey have applied to become members of the EU.

“The arrest and subsequent deportation of six Turkish nationals legally residing in Kosovo raise questions about the respect of the due process of law,” EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said. “The rule of law is a fundamental principal of the European Union.”

Kocijancic noted that Kosovo, “in line with its determination to build a free and democratic future,” as part of its association agreement with the EU is required it to show “full respect for the rule of law” and promote “universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

“Arbitrary procedures concerning arrest, detention, or exile go against these principles,” she said.

“As for Turkey, while we understand the need to bring the culprits of the coup attempt…to justice, any alleged wrongdoing or crime should be subject to due process and well established international norms when seeking extradition,” Kocijancic said.

“The right of every individual to fair trial needs to be fully respected. As a European Union candidate country and a member of the Council of Europe, Turkey has subscribed to these principles,” she said.

 

Source: Radio Free Europe , April 4, 2018


Related News

High competition for Fezalar Institution in North Iraq

The competition is high for students who are looking to attend the Fezalar Educational Institution in northern Iraq. 7,250 students have applied for the entrance exam, however, only 650 seats are available for new students. The institution was founded nearly 14 years ago in Turkiye. Since then, it has branched out to five countries, including […]

ECtHR urges Albania not to deport Gülen follower to Turkey

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg sent an official request to Albania asking it not to deport a Turkish citizen who is known to be a follower of the Gülen movement to Turkey as his trial has not been concluded in Albania, the Tirana Times reported.

A Turkish coup, a family torn apart, a dramatic escape on foot: ‘Can you believe the things we went through?’

She could stay in Turkey where she might end up imprisoned, at risk of torture and sexual assault, and separated from her young children. Or she could take them on a dangerous journey, with no guarantee of survival.

Bal asks whether Erdoğan is trying to suppress religious communities

Former Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputy İdris Bal submitted a parliamentary question to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday, asking whether Erdoğan regards himself the Caliph of the Muslim world and whether the prime minister is trying to suppress religious communities in Turkey.

Corruption, Stigmatization, and Innocence

Unfortunately, the Hizmet Movement as one of the leading civilian movements contributing to intercultural dialogue and peace in the world has been labeled as one of the players to destabilize Turkey by the pro-government press too.

Islamist vs. Islamic

The followers of Gülen have opted to vote for and support various center parties freely. Moreover, their support has never amounted to partisanship. Rather, they have tended to back specific policies and the political parties that placed greater emphasis on democratization, demilitarization, transparency, accountability, fundamental rights and freedoms and economic stability.

Latest News

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

In Case You Missed It

Turkish charities dedicate well in Uganda to James Foley

Kimse Yok Mu restoring eyesight to the needy blind in Pakistan

Gülen’s lawyer warns about possible doctored tapes

State Islam versus civic Islam

Indian scholar: Fethullah Gülen a great blessing for Turkey, World

Abant tackles contentious issue of drafting new constitution

Fethullah Gulen’s Message for International Day of Peace

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News