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The work of the 3rd part of the 2023 session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) started today in Strasbourg. MEP George Loucaides took part in a plenary debate on the presidential and parliamentary elections held in Turkey last May 2023, which were observed on the spot by the Ad Hoc Committee of the CSCE, in which he participated.
Pointing out that Turkey is the only Council of Europe member state that has been put back under full monitoring of its commitments and obligations towards the Organization, the Cypriot MP said that the recent elections in Turkey confirmed all previous concerns of the CSTO about the deterioration of the functioning of democratic institutions, the rule of law and the human rights situation in the country and that in this climate it was not possible to hold fair, free and democratic elections in Turkey. Specifically on the Peoples' Democratic Party, which is the third largest political party in the country, Mr. Loucaides deplored the ongoing efforts to ban it and deprive it of its ability to run for elections independently and of the necessary financial resources for its electoral and non-electoral activities. He was highly critical of the continued detention of thousands of citizens, including elected representatives, such as the President of the Peoples' Democratic Party, Mr. Suleyman Demirtas, and the philanthropist and activist, Mr. Osman Kavala, despite repeated calls by the Council of Europe for their immediate release and the relevant decisions of the European Court of Human Rights.
Loucaides pointed out that the invocation of certain provisions of the Turkish penal code, anti-terrorism legislation and more recent legislation on disinformation have effectively created a regime of terrorism and suppression of the right to freedom of speech and any critical voice, resulting in widespread self-censorship. He also noted that the control of the vast majority of the media and during the election campaign gave a clear advantage to Mr Erdogan, while in the public's perception, there was an identification between the state and the ruling party.
In conclusion, Mr. Loucaides warned that Mr. Erdogan's victory could potentially lead to an even greater aggravation of the internal political situation and further undermining of democracy, the rule of law and human rights in Turkey. In the face of this eventuality, he stressed, the Council of Europe should show zero tolerance, despite whatever expediency or self-interest may exist in relation to Turkey.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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