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<p>We remain concerned by the Amnesty arrests in the summer of 2017, as well as that
of the civil society activist Osman Kavala in October the same year, and have been
following both cases closely. We have raised their cases at ministerial level with
the Turkish Government on several occasions, most recently in January this year. We
hope that the outstanding charges against them can be brought to a timely and equitable
conclusion. We will be monitoring the next hearing on 19 February.</p><p>We have long
encouraged Turkey to work towards the full protection of fundamental rights, including
those of human rights defenders, and in support of freedom of expression. The United
Kingdom recognises that human rights defenders play an essential role in promoting
and protecting democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law. Our commitment
to human rights defenders was publicly emphasised by the publication in July 2019
of the document 'UK Support for Human Rights Defenders'. We will continue to engage
the Turkish Government on these important issues.</p>
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