Harlem Désir, Minister of State for European Affairs, will receive Thorbjorn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, this afternoon.

Mr. Désir will stress to Mr. Jagland France’s attachment to the Council of Europe’s action to promote the rule of law and respect for human rights.

Mr. Désir and Mr. Jagland will take stock of the Council of Europe’s role in areas of conflict, notably in Ukraine, whether in the eastern part of the country or in Crimea, in order to prepare for the ministers’ meeting on May 19 in Sofia. Harlem Désir will represent France at the meeting.

Turkey / Freedom of the press – Sentencing of Can Dundar and Erdem Gul (Istanbul - May 9, 2016)

France was concerned to hear of the prison sentences of 5 years and 10 months and 5 years handed down on May 6 to Can Dundar and Erdem Gul, editor in chief and correspondent, respectively, of the daily newspaper Cumhuriyet. The court decisions have been appealed.

We reaffirm our attachment to the freedom of expression and press freedom, which are guaranteed by international law and which form an essential component of any democratic society.

France also strongly condemns the attack against Can Dundar outside the court building. It calls for full light to be shed on this matter.

Belarus – Death penalty

We condemn the execution in Belarus of Sergei Ivanov, whose case was being considered by the UN Human Rights Committee.

We are concerned at the dismissal by the Supreme Court of Belarus of Sergei Khmelevsky’s appeal against the death sentence handed down to him on February 16, 2016.

France reaffirms its constant opposition to the death penalty everywhere and under all circumstances.

In its conclusions of February 15, 2016, the Council of Ministers of the European Union condemned the use of the death penalty in Belarus, deplored the death sentences recently handed down and urged the Belarus authorities to establish a moratorium on the death penalty as the first step toward its abolition.

Egypt – Attack in Helwan (May 8, 2016)

France condemns the cowardly attack carried out against police officers in Helwan near Cairo on May 8, 2016, which left eight of them dead.

We extend our condolences to the victims’ families.

France again expresses its wholehearted solidarity with Egypt in the fight against terrorism.