Turkey declares a state of emergency. What this means for the country

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared a state of emergency in Turkey that has been approved by the parliament in a 346 to 115 vote. In effect since the 21st of July, it will last 3 months. Turkey suspends the European Convention on Human Rights The most controversial and worrisome consequence is the suspension of the

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared a state of emergency in Turkey that has been approved by the parliament in a 346 to 115 vote. In effect since the 21st of July, it will last 3 months.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan chairs Turkey's security council © Kayhan Ozer/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Recep Tayyip Erdogan chairs Turkey’s security council © Kayhan Ozer/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Turkey suspends the European Convention on Human Rights

The most controversial and worrisome consequence is the suspension of the European Convention on Human Rights, “like France did”, according to vice-president Numan Kurtulmus. Plus, Erdogan and his cabinet will be able to bypass the parliament when drafting laws and to restrict or suspend a number of rights and civil freedoms. For instance, it will be possible to extend the detention of thousands of people arrested in the wake of the failed coup (which caused the death of 246 people) on 15 July.

Turkey aims to root out virus

Nevertheless, the government promised that citizens’ daily life won’t be affected and that the state of emergency only aims to root out “virus” from armed forces. The situation has been defined similar to that of France in the wake of last year’s November attacks. More than 50,000 state employees have been arrested, fired or suspended over the past few days. 99 military leaders have been accused of being involved in the coup.

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