EU Progress Report: Turkey Has Been Backsliding

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European Union Commission has announced its 102-page 2016 Turkey Progress Report.

Announced by Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, the report suggested that Turkey’s reform speed has slowed down and efforts into human rights and basic freedoms have failed to satisfy.

Drawing attention to increasing crackdowns on journalists, Hahn said “There has been serious backsliding in the past year in the area of freedom of expression. Selective and arbitrary application of the law, especially of the provisions on national security and the fight against terrorism, is having a negative impact on freedom of expression”.

July 15 coup attempt

Political Criteria chapter of the report starts with incidents that took place on July 15. It was stated in the report that 241 people lost their lives, 2,196 others wounded during the incident, and that Turkish Government overcame the coup with the help of all Turkish political elements and people.

Noting that the government holds “Gülen Movement” accountable for the coup attempt, the report didn’t use the definition of “Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ)” even though it stated that “Gülen Movement” was designated a terror organization.

Speaking at the European Commission Foreign Affairs Commission, Hans said “The Commission hopes that escalating tension in Turkey comes to an end and negotiations resume in Kurdish question”.

Freedom of expression backslided

About freedom of expression, “There has been serious backsliding in the area of freedom of expression. There were renewed serious concerns particularly in relation to the antiterror operations in the east and south east. Following the attempted coup of 15 July, a state of emergency was declared under which measures curtailing fundamental rights were taken, including in regards to pre-trial detention and freedom of expression. Developments in the area of prevention of torture and ill-treatment, in particular after 15 July, are of serious concern”, the report said.

Click here for the report. (HK/TK)