Turkey: KESK Trial – Three Women Released Pending Trial

On December 13th, Guler Elveren, Tüm Bel Sen (All Municipality Workers Trade Union) Women’s Secretary; Bedriye Yorgun, SES (Health and Social Service Workers Trade Union) Women’s Secretary and SES Former President; and Guldane Erdogan, Egitim Sen (Education and Science Worker’s Union) Ankara Branch (no.2) Women’s Secretary – the last detained women of the 15 women KESK leaders and activists arrested in February 2012 (see ITUC online here and here) – were released on bail pending trial.

As in October, an international trade union delegation attended the hearing to express solidarity and support to the trade unionists. The 15 women remain prosecuted as charges were not lifted. The next hearing is scheduled for April 2013.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, the ITUC has once again urged the Turkish government to stop the judicial harassment against trade unionists and ensure a fair and timely judicial process.

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

For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on: +32 2 224 02 04 or +32 476 621 018

Photo: sizemore