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EI welcomes the release of three female members of KESK, the Turkish public services’ trade union confederation. The three, released on 13 December by the Ankara Court, include Güldane Erdo?an from the teacher union E?itim Sen, who has been imprisoned for 10 months.

These women were amongst the 15 female Turkish union leaders arrested on 13 February 2012 in connection with the International Women’s Day preparations. The other 12 have already been released.

International trade union solidarity

An EI affiliates’ international delegation (from Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Sweden and the UK) was present at the court to follow the debates.

“They are free now, it is a victory!” said Odile Cordelier, Vice-President of EI’s European region, the European Trade Union Committee for Education, when leaving the court. “But the charges against them are not dropped. The fight must go on!”

All charges must be dropped

While EI is satisfied with the release of our colleagues, it regrets that the charges against the defendants were not lifted.

“International pressure by EI and its affiliates worldwide will continue,” said EI General Secretary Fred van Leeuwen. “International solidarity is crucial to end the disturbing pattern of injustice prevailing in Turkey against teachers and trade unionists seeking to exercise their basic rights as citizens.”

Unconditional release of trade unionists

To date, more than 60 trade unionists remain in detention in Turkey; and many more are waiting to appear in court.

EI, on behalf of its member organisations around the world, once again calls on the Turkish authorities to ensure a fair and timely judicial process. It also demands the unconditional release of all trade unionists detained in connection with legitimate trade union activities.