August, 2016 Human Rights

Original Article Post Date: Thursday, August 25, 2016


Author Sukru Kucuksahin
More than a month after the July 15 coup attempt in Turkey, the crackdown on suspected members of the Gulen community, the accused culprits of the putsch, is continuing and expanding. As of Aug. 18, about 12,000 people have been jailed pending trial, including prominent businessmen, academics, journalists and soldiers; 10,000 people remain in custody for questioning and 85,000 public servants have been either suspended or dismissed. To make room in the prisons, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government issued a legislative decree last week, paving the way for the release of at least 38,000 prisoners, including convicted thieves.
Human Rights, Politics, Turkey

Original Article Post Date: Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Coup Attempt Sparks Backlash Against Turkey’s Minorities

Aykan Erdemir
Turkey’s July 15 abortive coup has produced a show of cross-party support for the country’s elected government. All three major opposition parties explicitly denounced the attempt, and the government returned the favor by thanking them in parliament. That apparent spirit of unity, however, does not include everyone: The failed coup has sparked a wave of hatred and violence against religious minorities for their supposed “complicity” in the incident.
Human Rights, Politics, Turkey