A British woman has gone on hunger strike after being detained without explanation while travelling to Ankara to protest this week's NATO summit, her legal representatives have said. Ella Vivier, a 26-year-old neuroscience graduate from Brighton, was arrested on Sunday evening along with three other protesters, according to her lawyers in the Turkish capital.
Detention and Hunger Strike
Ms Vivier, who works as a support worker with vulnerable children, was detained at approximately 9pm on Sunday. Her legal representatives, Suheyla Oguz and Senem Doganoglu, said the four went on hunger strike on Monday after being arrested with no reason given. The lawyers stated: 'At the time of her detention, no reason or legal basis for the detention was explained to her. We were only later informed by the authorities that the investigation concerns an allegation of membership of an illegal organisation. However, our examination of the investigation file has revealed no evidence supporting this allegation and no factual basis for the accusation has been disclosed to the defence.'
Legal Concerns
Ms Vivier has not been charged with any crime. An investigation is being conducted on suspicion of 'initiating provocative actions during the NATO summit', but her lawyers believe there is no such offence under Turkish criminal law. Ms Oguz said: 'In our legal opinion, there are serious concerns regarding the lawfulness of the detention. Ella was not informed of the reasons for her detention at the time she was apprehended.'
Government and MP Response
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said: 'We are supporting the family of a British woman detained in Turkey and are in contact with the local authorities.' Ms Vivier's MP, Brighton Pavilion Green Sian Berry, is also involved. A spokesperson said: 'Sian is aware of their detention and is in touch with Ella's family as her constituency MP. Sian and her casework team have already made contact with the FCDO and are doing what they can to assist Ella and her family.'
Partner's Account
Ms Vivier's partner, who asked not to be named, has been unable to contact her. They said: 'No-one, except the lawyer, has been allowed [to talk to her]. She's been held in a counter-terror cell. Even the embassy haven't been able to speak to her directly.' They described the detention as 'completely unlawful', adding: 'Her and the three other internationalists that she was arrested with were arrested pre-emptively before the summit had started, so before even taking part in any of the protests, so she hadn't committed any crime. It's been a purely preventative detention, which we consider to be in violation of fundamental human rights.'
Human Rights Violations Alleged
Ms Oguz said she believed Ms Vivier's human rights had been violated during her arrest, transport to detention, and at a hospital where she was taken for a health check. She was also required to sign documents written entirely in Turkish, which she could not read or understand. Ms Oguz stated: 'These allegations raise serious concerns regarding her right to liberty and security, her right of access to legal assistance, her right to a fair trial, her right to dignity and privacy, and the prohibition of ill-treatment. We believe these allegations require a prompt, effective and independent investigation.'
