Members of police special forces keep watch from an armored vehicle in front of a courthouse in Ankara, Turkey, on July 18, 2016. (Reuters/Baz Ratner)
Members of police special forces keep watch from an armored vehicle in front of a courthouse in Ankara, Turkey, on July 18, 2016. (Reuters/Baz Ratner)

CPJ, 25 other organizations call on Turkey to revoke state of emergency

A coalition of 26 international media freedom and human rights advocacy groups, including CPJ, today called on Turkey to lift emergency measures that have resulted in the stifling of criticism and dissent; the detention of large numbers of individuals, including more than 100 journalists; and the removal of fair trial protections and safeguards against torture. The statement came in response to Turkey’s extension of state of emergency provisions for another 90 days starting today.

The coalition–led by U.K. based freedom of expression organization Article 19–noted that the first three months under the emergency provisions have included “sweeping arrests, where those detained are not presented with credible evidence, preventing them from challenging or seeking redress for human rights violations.”

To read the entire statement, click here.