The United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC’s) experts made a statement concerning the death of lawyer Ebru Timtik on 2 September. The experts called on Turkey to launch an effective investigation into Timtik’s death and to release other human rights defenders.

Human rights experts had pointed out that the Turkish government was responsible for the death of lawyer Ebru Timtik, who died on the 238th day of her hunger strike.

Her death after a long hunger strike was entirely preventable, the UNHRC experts said. They called on Turkey to release other human rights defenders.

“No one should have to die in pursuit of a fair trial; it is a fundamental human right”, they stated.

What Happened?

Progressive Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD) lawyers were sentenced to prison terms of over 159 years on 20 March in Turkey. Ebru Timtik was one of these lawyers.

She was sentenced to thirteen-and-a-half years in prison for ‘terrorism related offenses’ based on statements by a witness. After the trial, Ebru Timtik and Aytac Unsal began their hunger strikes on 2 January and 2 February respectively.

Later, they turned their strike into a death fast. Their demand was for a “just, fair” trial.

Ebru Timtik died on the 238th day of her death fast. Ünsal is still continuing with his death fast.