In my capacity as the President of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe, I express my serious concern regarding the detention of Mr Taner Kiliç, Chair of Amnesty International Turkey.

As you know, Amnesty International is a member of the Conference of INGOs since many years. Its actions have a direct impact on the improved respect of human rights in the Member States of the Council of Europe.

I hope that the detention of Mr Taner Kilic is not connected to the activities led by our INGO member in your country. The detention of the leader of an internationally recognized human rights organization will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the image of the State which acts in this way.

In the absence of any evidence to justify this detention, I ask your authorities to release him without any further delay.

Anna RURKA, President of the Conference of INGOs