Amnesty International researcher criticizes witch-hunt in Turkey


Date posted: September 17, 2016

Amnesty International’s Turkey researcher has leveled sharp criticism against Turkey over ongoing purges that have followed a failed coup attempt in July and said arrests and firings over alleged links to the Gülen movement have now turned into a wide-ranging witch-hunt.

Andrew Gardner gave an interview to Voice of America Türkiye, published on Friday, and offered a bleak assessment of developments in Turkey. While he said immediate detentions and investigations into plotters were quite understandable following the attempted coup on July 15 and acknowledged that could happen in any country, he expressed deep concern that the government has primarily cracked down on dissent and Gülen sympathizers in the witch-hunt.

Gardner underlined that there is no concrete, substantive evidence that links those who have been dismissed, detained or arrested since July 15 to the coup attempt. The government has failed to provide any evidence despite the fact that it has launched massive crackdowns.

He said arrest and detentions, which are based on no evidence, are bound to inflict damage to the notions of rule of law and freedom of expression.

Almost one-fourth of members of the judiciary have been dismissed, detained or jailed pending trial, he said, adding that operations which target the judiciary will in the long term negatively affect judicial independence and the rule of law.

About a government decision to appoint administrators to 28 Kurdish-run municipalities, Gardner said it was not the first time such a thing has happened, recalling the government takeover of the Zaman newspaper by appointing trustees.

Gardner said Amnesty International is concerned about such practices. The appointment of trustees can only take place after a court ruling, he said, noting that the appointment of administrators without such a ruling is a source of deep concern. 

Source: Turkish Minute , September 17, 2016


Related News

Three political risks that Turkey might be exposed to

Economic indicators in Turkey cannot bear the political risk anymore. The currency rates go up whenever President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan makes a statement. Before the elections I had warned that Erdoğan’s election victory would bring instability, but nobody believed this. There are now three major fields of conflict and uncertainty before Turkey.

Turkish government defiant as battle over prep schools rises

Both the government and the Gülen movement have raised the stakes in the debate over a plan to regulate private prep schools, or dershanes. The tension recently peaked, with Erdoğan describing the group’s objection to his government’s plans as a “smear campaign.” Ekrem Dumanlı, editor-in-chief of daily Zaman, which is known for its close ties with the Gülen movement, wrote an open letter to Erdoğan and urged him to review his decision.

Royalties provide Fethullah Gülen with modest income, his lawyer says

Turkish religious scholar Fetullah Gülen makes a living off the royalties he receives from his more than 60 books, the self-exiled Muslim leader’s lawyer has said in response to media scrutiny.”My client has written over 60 books which were all listed among best sellers. He makes a living by copyright income,” said Gülen’s lawyer, Nurullah […]

Canada’s Turkish community on edge as government crackdown continues

In the aftermath of the failed coup — and the subsequent purge of thousands of workers accused of being dissidents — Canada has seen a spike in asylum claims from Turkey. The 55,000-strong Turkish-Canadian community has also become increasingly polarized, with distrust and accusations of witch hunts against anyone deemed to be a sympathizer and supporter of the Gulen Movement.

Major Says No One In Erdoğan Assassination Attempt Trial Has Links To Gülen

One of 37 officers who are standing trial on charges of taking part in an assassination attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a failed coup on July 15 has said none of the officers in the trial has any links to the faith-based Gülen movement.

Crackdown on journalists leaves void in post-coup Turkey

That is down in large part to the gutting of Turkey’s independent press. More than 115 journalists have been imprisoned and hundreds more fired since the July 15th coup attempt, while 130 media outlets have been shuttered. That, in addition to the sacking of more than 1,000 media workers in the previous 12 months, has left crucial questions unanswered. Put simply, there is no one left – or willing – to overturn the stones on which the failed military takeover was built.

Latest News

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

University refuses admission to woman jailed over Gülen links

In Case You Missed It

Exit strategy for the AKP

Kurdish problem, PKK, AKP, Hizmet movement

Kosovo Extradition of Wanted Turkish ‘Gulenist’ Suspended

Think Twice on Turkey: Erdogan’s Purges Are a Warning to Washington

The Muslim Martin Luther? Fethullah Gulen Attempts an Islamic Reformation

Peace Valley Foundation recognizes reporter, teacher, preacher for community work

İpek Holding chairman denies reports about alleged mansion for Gülen

Copyright 2023 Hizmet News