Brussels, July 16th, 2016
PRESS RELEASE
Turkey’s attempted coup: Turkish people demonstrated no appetite for military rule
During last night’s attempted coup against President Erdogan, Turkish people demonstrated no appetite for military rule. Nevertheless, this should be no excuse for Erdogan and his government to further restrict democracy in the country.
We naturally regret the loss of lives and condemn the violence which occurred throughout the course of the night, as the defeated coup cost 260 lives and lead to the arrest of 3.000 soldiers. We do however welcome the end of an illegal and violent attempt by part of the military, who resorted to old methods of conquering power.
But the situation is far from quiet and peaceful in Turkey. Just today, 2.700 judges were suspended from their posts, in an apparent attempt by the government to curb alleged opposition in the judiciary. Conflict in the south-east of the country continues with no prospect of a return to the negotiating table, after Erdogan rejected an almost complete agreement in 2015.
Stability and peace will not be re-established in Turkey without a decisive change of Erdogan's ruling methods. All the country’s democratic parties rejected the attempted coup, and thousands of people rushed to the streets, disregarding the curfew imposed by the plotters: a clear demonstration that it is no longer a time for a military rule in Turkey.
The country’s citizens do not deserve to be rewarded with the harsh return to an authoritarian regime, no matter if it is ruled by a political party, and not the army.
- END PRESS RELEASE -
For immediate release
Jan Callewaert
Interim Press Officer
EUROPEAN GREEN PARTY aisbl
Rue Wiertz 31
B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
T +32 2 626 07 26
M +32 484 26 35 31
E jan.callewaert@europeangreens.eu
W www.europeangreens.eu
