Top Turkish court rejects HDP MP Semra Güzel’s appeal against lifting of immunity

Turkey’s Constitutional Court (AYM) has rejected an appeal by HDP deputy Semra Güzel against the lifting of her parliamentary immunity.

Duvar English

Turkey’s Constitutional Court (AYM) on March 22 denied an appeal from pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Semra Güzel to annul a parliamentary decision that lifted her immunity.

On March 1, the Turkish parliament lifted Güzel's immunity for her to face trial over accusations that she was linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

During the peace process between the Turkish state and the group, Güzel visited a PKK camp in 2014, and she was photographed standing next to PKK member Volkan Bora. The HDP said that the visit was at the behest of the state, while the ruling coalition has accused her of membership in the group.

In her application to the Constitutional Court, Güzel demanded the annulment of the relevant parliamentary decision. 

In a ruling on March 22, the court rejected the deputy's application, saying that lifting of her immunity was not contrary to the Constitution or parliamentary practices and procedures for MPs. 

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Topics Turkey Semra Güzel AYM Constitutional Court parliamentary immunity