In a statement, EU High Representative and Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn said:
"We are following the developments regarding the State of Emergency Turkey has declared after the attempted coup, which the European Union condemned, very closely and with concern."
#Turkey — EU calls authorities to respect rule of law, human rigths and fundamental freedoms under any circumstances https://t.co/2tqMJlXFAn
— Federica Mogherini (@FedericaMog) July 21, 2016
"This declaration comes in the wake of the recent unacceptable decisions on the education system, judiciary and the media. As outlined in the conclusions of the Council and in the discussion of the European Commission this week, we call on Turkish authorities to respect under any circumstances the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right of all individuals concerned to a fair trial."
According to Yasin Aktay, spokesman for Turkey's ruling AK Party, the number of those detained is 10,410, including 287 police officers, 7,423 soldiers, 2,014 judges and prosecutors, and 686 civil servants.
#Turkey: We call on Turkish authorities to respect under any circumstances the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms. 1/2
— Johannes Hahn (@JHahnEU) July 21, 2016
Equally, the right of all individuals to fair trial must be respected.Joint statement w. @FedericaMog on #Turkey:https://t.co/avbchsPuNP 2/2
— Johannes Hahn (@JHahnEU) July 21, 2016
Investigation of any allegations must be individual, follow due process, and observe the principle of presumption of innocence 3/3
— Johannes Hahn (@JHahnEU) July 21, 2016
The condemnation by Mogherini and Hahn is a further sign of the derailing of the EU-Turkey migrant deal, which has been a controversial issue amid growing concerns over Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's increasing grip on power.
Suppression
As part of the deal, "irregular" migrants — those refused asylum in Greece — are relocated back to Turkey, in return — on a one-for-one basis — for Syrian refugees being relocated to EU member states. The deal includes the acceleration of Turkish accession into the EU and visa-free access for its citizens into the Schengen zone.
There had already been concerns expressed — by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and many NGOs — over Turkey's human rights record, with many saying Turkey is not a "safe third country" under the terms of the Geneva Convention. Many believe the refugee camps in Turkey do not meet basic human rights standards.
Critics say Turkey will never meet the conditions of the deal — pointing out Erdogan's record of brutal suppression of the Kurds and opposition activists, his clampdown on free speech and the fee press as well as his government's treatment of refugees.
#Turkey will continue to uphold universal values of democracy, rule of law and freedom during #StateOfEmergency. pic.twitter.com/4kmvwhwL5i
— Turkish Deleg. to EU (@AvbirDT) 22 July 2016
Concerns are growing that Erdogan is using the fallout from the failed coup to further consolidate his grip on power and root out his enemies.
