Item 84 - Correspondence regarding the withholding of Nebahat Akkoç's passport

10pp

Correspondence between Françoise Hampson and Michael O'Boyle, Section Registrar, European Court of Human Rights regarding the withholding of Nebahat Akkoç's passport by Turkish authorities and the delay in having her passport’s validity extended in advance of the 20 June 2000 hearing in Strasbourg. Includes:
1) Unsigned draft of letter from Françoise Hampson to Michael O'Boyle, Section Registrar, European Court of Human Rights, which enclosed documents pertaining to the delay in approving Nebahat Akkoç's passport. Hampson notes that lawyer Sedat Aslantaş (see A44/43/1/10 for his own case) has brought a case before the Administrative Court concerning the removal of the restriction on the applicant's right to travel abroad. Hampson states that 'the Ministry of the Interior appears to be relying, as a ground for denying her passport, on the facts that she has applied to the European Court for Human Rights.' Hampson asks the Registrar for his assistance in ensuring that Turkish authorities will allow Akkoç to obtain her passport in sufficient time for her to obtain her visa and arrange to make the hearing. (19 May 2000, 1p);
2) Letter from O’Boyle to Hampson, requesting further information concerning Akkoç's allegation, including a full copy of the document which appears to be the police’s submissions to the Ankara Administrative Court, an explanation of the origin of the travel restriction placed on Akkoç, and an explanation of the current state of proceeding concerning the passport renewal application (25 May 2000, 1p);
3) Letter from Hampson to O’Boyle which enclosed the requested documents. Hampson notes that while Akkoç has been acquitted of all charges and has no pending allegations against her, she has still been labelled ‘dangerous to the general security’ of Turkey by the government and her passport has been denied. Hampson also notes that Aisling Reidy and Mark Muller will be attending the hearing (6 June 2000, 1p);
4) Letter (in Turkish) from Sezrik Tanrıkulu, Akkoç's Turkish lawyer, to Hampson updating her on Akkoç's passport application. He notes that the Administrative Court has quashed the decision not to renew Akkoç's passport on security grounds and that a new application has now made. He also discusses travel and accommodation arrangements for the hearing (7 June 2000, 1p);
5) Letter from Hampson to O’Boyle requesting assistance from the Court in expediting Akkoç's passport application, and noting that Tanrıkulu and Aslantaş will also be attending the hearing as Akkoç's local lawyers (14 June 2000, 1p);
6) Letter from O’Boyle to Hampson (15 June 2000, 1p) acknowledging receipts of her letters of 6 and 14 June 2000, and enclosing:
7) Letter from O’Boyle to Alex Kiliç, Ambassador of Turkey to the Council of Europe, requesting the Turkish Government to use its good offices to assist Akkoç in obtaining a valid travel document which would enable her to travel to Strasbourg for 20 June 2000 (15 June 2000, 1p);
8) Faxed copies of 6) and 7) (15 June 2000, 3pp)

• English

• Turkish