A British woman has initiated a hunger strike following her unexplained detention upon arrival in Ankara to protest the recent NATO summit, according to her representatives. Ella Vivier, a 26-year-old neuroscience graduate from Brighton, heeded the call by various Turkish political groups and unions to oppose the summit in the Turkish capital.
The NATO summit, which commenced on Tuesday, saw the presence of global leaders, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump. Vivier, who works as a support worker for vulnerable children, was reportedly apprehended at around 9 pm on Sunday alongside three other demonstrators, as confirmed by her legal team in Ankara.
All four individuals decided to go on a hunger strike on Monday after being detained without a clear rationale provided by the authorities. Despite being accused of alleged membership in an illegal organization, no substantial evidence has been presented to support the claim, as per Vivier’s legal representatives.
While Vivier has not been formally charged with any offense, an investigation is underway on suspicion of engaging in provocative actions during the NATO summit, a charge that her legal team contests as lacking legal basis under Turkish law. The family of the detained woman is receiving support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), who are said to be in communication with Turkish authorities.
Vivier’s partner expressed frustration over the situation, stating that only the lawyer has been permitted to communicate with her while she is being held in a counter-terror facility. The detention is deemed unlawful by her partner due to its preemptive nature before any protest activities during the summit had occurred.
Brighton Pavilion Green MP Sian Berry has been in contact with Vivier’s family and the FCDO to aid in ensuring her safe return to the UK. Vivier’s legal representative, Suheyla Oguz, raised concerns about potential violations of her client’s human rights during the arrest, transportation to detention, and at a medical evaluation where she was required to sign documents in Turkish without comprehension.
Oguz emphasized the need for an independent investigation into the allegations to uphold Vivier’s rights to liberty, legal assistance, fair trial, dignity, and protection against ill-treatment.
