European Parliament, “grave concern” for purges in Turkey

MEPs passed a resolution to condemn the threats to the judiciary and the use of the Internet. Rapporteur Oomen-Ruijten (EPP): “Turkey needs to show true commitments to the values upon which the EU is founded.”

Purges made in Turkey by Erdogan’s government, which have removed the prosecutors and police officers in charge of the original high-level corruption investigations, are a “grave concern” for the European Parliament. A resolution on the matter has been passed by MEPs with 475 votes to 153, with 43 abstentions. This kind of measures, reads the text, go against the fundamental principle of an independent judiciary, which is vital to a truly democratic state.

The resolution highlights the deep concern at recent allegations of high-level corruption in Turkey, and stresses that constitutional reform must remain the top priority for purposes of modernisation and democratization of the country. There reforms should be brought about with the negotiations with the EU, which must continue. “Turkey has embarked on reform for the benefit of its own citizens,” said Rapporteur Ria Oomen-Ruijten (EPP), yet “recent developments in the area of fundamental freedoms, independence of the judiciary, freedom of expression and others are however a cause of grave concern for us.” Turkey, added the Rapporteur, “needs to show true commitment to its European aspirations and to the values upon which the EU is founded.”

Furthermore, MEPs expressed their concern for the measures taken by the Turkish government to restrict the freedom of use of the Internet. These restrictions of fundamental freedoms, underlined MEPs, “take Turkey away from meeting the Copenhagen criteria for EU accession.” On the contrary, it is necessary to make efforts to be able of opening accession negotiating chapters 23 and 24 (on judiciary and fundamental rights). The unprecedented wave of protests “reflects the legitimate aspirations of many Turkish citizens for deeper democracy,” according to the Parliament, which called for guaranteeing freedom of religion and belief and freedom of assembly for all. In addition, Turkish authorities are encouraged to undertake the reforms needed to promote social, cultural and economic rights of the Kurdish community.