Wave of Arrests in Turkey Following Elections |
KHRP today expressed concern about a wave of arrests in Turkey in the wake of local elections that took place there at the end of March.
Dozens of people, including a number of lawyers, pro-Kurdish politicians and human rights activists, are reported to have been rounded up in locations across the country in recent days. The operation, which media reports suggest is ostensibly targeted at the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has apparently included raids on political party offices and at least one television station.
‘The way to achieve peace and stability in Turkey is through the ballot box, the rule of law and respect for human rights,’ said KHRP Executive Director Kerim Yıldız. ‘So soon after voting has finished, it is disappointing to see the Turkish authorities falling back into this familiar pattern of repression.’
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