Members of the European Parliament Call for the Immediate Release of Enes Hocaoğulları

Members of the European Parliament Call for the Immediate Release of Enes Hocaoğulları

• 19/08/2025
• Sedakbu

31 MEPs led by Lucia Yar demand Enes Hocaoğulları’s freedom: “Silencing youth is dangerous for all of Europe!”

Thirty-one Members of the European Parliament have called for the immediate and unconditional release of LGBTİ activist and young delegate at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, Enes Hocaoğulları. The joint letter, led by Lucia Yar from the Renew Europe group, was sent to European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas and other commission members.

The MEPs described Enes’s detention as part of broader pressures in Turkey on opposition groups, students, journalists, and particularly the LGBTİ+ community.

Enes was detained and arrested on August 4 at Ankara Esenboğa Airport. In March, he addressed the Council of Europe, advocating for young people’s demands for democracy, participation, and freedom. He now faces charges of “spreading misleading information” and “inciting hatred and hostility” related to this speech.

The letter emphasized that such actions are incompatible with the Copenhagen criteria and undermine any claims of progress in Turkey’s EU accession process. It also urged linking EU funds to adherence to democratic and rule-of-law standards.

“Modern and democratic societies cannot be built on fear, intimidation, and repression. Criminalizing speeches made at the Council of Europe undermines our shared European values,” the joint letter stated.

The MEPs also stressed, “Silencing youth sends a dangerous message not only for Turkey but for all of Europe,” calling on the European Commission to take action.

Enes is still being held at Sincan Prison in Ankara. His first hearing will be held on 8 September at Ankara 86th Criminal Court of First Instance.