The Justice and Development Party (AKP) has violated more rights during the state of emergency declared five days after a July 15 coup attempt in Turkey than the military regime following the Sept. 12, 1980, coup, according to a main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) report.
The report, “The July 15 Coup Attempt and State of Emergency Practices,” was prepared by Ankara deputy Şenal Sarıhan, also a lawyer, and compares the practices of the AKP government with military regime practices after the Sept. 12, 1980 military coup.
The report, summarized by the Milliyet daily, is as follows:
Torture: Torture and maltreatment are no different from the situation during the Sept. 12 era. Even photographs published by the media are clear evidence of the torture that is being used against detainees.
Detentions are based on assumptions: During the Sept. 12 era, 650,000 people were detained and 52,000 were arrested. But just between July 15 and Aug. 5, 2016, 18,044 were detained and 9,677 arrested. All detentions were based on assumptions.
Unjustified detentions: Detentions and arrests of the Sept. 12 era mainly included civilians and academics. Detentions and arrests after July 15, 2016, targeted military personnel, judges, prosecutors and other public officials. All were unjustified detentions.
Defense rights: Violations of the right to a defense are worse than in the Sept. 12 era. Torture and maltreatment have been committed in the presence of lawyers. The lawyers were also threatened.
Dismissals are extra-judicial executions: In accordance with state of emergency decrees 49,694 public officials have been dismissed. These steps are extra-judicial executions.
Property seizures: Properties of unions and associations were seized during the Sept. 12 coup era. After July 15, 2016, the properties of arrestees and closed associations and foundations were seized. Confiscation of the properties of people under arrest is a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) would not approve any of these actions.
Media targeted: Thirty-one journalists — probably the number only of press card holders — were jailed during the Sept. 12 era. A total of 166 journalists were detained after July 15 and are now behind bars.