Erdogan replaces state of emergency with similar one, EU is not optimistic

The European Union stressed that lifting the state of emergency is not sufficient due to the extraordinary powers granted to the authorities and the keep of many restrictions of freedoms. The opposition expressed its concern about the continuation of the situation through the anti-terrorism law which is similar to the state of emergency law.

19 July, 2018 13:08

NEWS DESK

The EU foreign minister’s spokeswoman Federica Mogherini said on Thursday, "At the same time, we believe that the adoption of new legislative proposals that give the authorities extraordinary powers and the keep of many restrictions of the state of emergency would strike every positive response to the lifting of the state of emergency."

The spokeswoman made it clear, "We expect Turkey to implement and reflect all measures that still have a negative impact on the state of law, the independence of the judiciary and the fundamental freedoms that are at the heart of every democratic state," referring to the freedom of expression, assembly and legal rights.

She added, "We are waiting for Turkey to stop exempting itself from its obligations under the European Convention of Human Rights with the lifting of the state of emergency."

Despite the optimism prevailed within some Turkish political circles to cancel the state of emergency, it quickly ended with the introduction of a draft law supported by Erdogan's party to the parliament this week which provides for several measures similar to the provisions of the state of emergency.

The new draft law allows the authorities to continue for three years to dismiss any official with links to a terrorist organization, and those who have been appointed under the state of emergency at the head of companies suspected to be linked to a terrorist organization will be able to remain in their office for additional three years.

The Republican People's Party (CHP), the biggest opposition party to Erdogan, accuses the government of seeking to permanently confirmation of the state of emergency through unconstitutional measures.

The Turkish authorities have exploited the state of emergency that has been ongoing since two years, and that allowed the authorities to carry out large-scale eviction campaigns in the result of the coup d’état attempt, but the opposition fears the situation to continue through a new anti-terrorism law.

A.H

ANHA