by Yesim Usluca
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday, September 28th that he is recommending the country’s three-month state of emergency be extended.
Under President Erdogan’s direction, the National Security Council convened for an approximately six-hour meeting on September 28th in Ankara. It recommended that the country’s state of emergency be extended beyond its initial three-month period for an additional period of at least ninety days.
The statement issued after the meeting indicated “it has been agreed to recommend an extension of the state of emergency in order to ensure the continuity of the effective implementation of the measures aiming at protecting our democracy, the rule of law and the rights and freedoms of our citizens.”
President Erdogan declared that the country’s fight with terrorism requires more time because it is so “deep” as to not be capable of resolution within three months. He further noted that the country is competing against time and “needs time to be cleared of these terror organizations’ extensions.”
The Turkish Constitution holds that a state of emergency can be declared for a maximum period of six months. To enact a state of emergency, the government must see serious indications of widespread violence that could interfere with Turkey’s democratic environment or its citizens’ basic rights and freedoms as established by the constitution.
The opposition Nationalist Movement Party expressed its support for an extension of the state of emergency. It declared that the fight against those behind the coup attempt was continuing at all levels and that this was “natural and right.” The Party’s leader, Mr. Devlet Bahceli, stated that the “deep cleaning” was continuing and that it would be “overly optimistic to expect it to end in short period.”
Turkish authorities also ordered the closure of at least twelve television states and eleven radio stations which were owned, operated or linked to Kurdish individuals or members of the Alevi religious minority. The stations were shuttered on charges of spreading “terrorist propaganda.”
The Turkish government had declared a three-month state of emergency on July 20th following the failed coup attempt, which led to the deaths of over 240 individuals and injured approximately 2,200. At the time, President Erdogan had announced that the three-month state of emergency would enable authorities to act quickly against those responsible for the coup.
The aftermath of the coup attempt and state of emergency has attracted international criticism from international and human rights organizations due to the dismissal of thousands of teachers and court officials, as well as the detention of thousands of police officers and chiefs, journalists and opposition leaders. U.S. State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau had urged “Turkey to abide by its constitutional commitment to fundamental principles such as freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, due process, judicial independence.” She further went on to declare “these are key parts of any healthy democracy and a key part of Turkey’s own constitution of any healthy democracy.” and a key part of Turkey’s own constitution.”
For more information, please see:
International Press Institute— Turkey shutters at least 20 more TV, radio stations—30 September 2016
NPR—Turkey’s President Recommends Extending State Of Emergency—29 September 2016
Anadolu Agency—Turkey’s security council recommends extending emergency—29 September 2016
Reuters—Turkey security council to recommend extending state of emergency—28 September 2016
Hurriyet Daily News—State of emergency to be extended by the government—01 October 2016
