Czech politicians deeply concerned over developments in Turkey

Amid growing international concern over developments in Turkey in the wake of last week’s failed coup, Czech politicians have urged the Turkish authorities to respect the rule of law and not use the attempted coup to supress political opponents. The latest events have also led many to question the wisdom of starting EU accession talks with a country ready to reintroduce the death penalty.

Ankara, photo: CTK

Although the Czech authorities were quick to condemn the attempted coup in Turkey and express support for the democratically elected president and government, the events of the past few days have raised growing concern regarding the direction which the country appears to be taking. In an interview for Czech public radio, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said Turkey was an important ally and partner for Europe and expressed the hope that Turkey would not jeopardize this relationship and its present role by abandoning democratic principles and values.

“We need a stable Turkey, a country with a democratic government that respects the rule of law, a country with whom the EU can cooperate in finding a solution to the crisis in Syria and a partner for the EU in seeking a solution to the migrant crisis.”

The prime minister expressed concern over the developments of the past hours, predominantly proposals for capital punishment to be reintroduced retroactively and the sweeping purge in the army and judiciary. He said the latest events were being closely monitored and could have far-reaching consequences in damaging the deepening relationship between the EU and Turkey.

Lubomír Zaorálek, photo: Filip Jandourek

Foreign Minister Lubomír Zaorálek on Monday echoed a warning from EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, saying the reintroduction of the death penalty would definitively close Turkey’s door to the EU.

“The introduction of capital punishment would break up everything. If this were really to happen then that would be the end of negotiations about the country’s accession to the EU.”

The Czech foreign minister stressed that the need to respect the rule of law, adherence to democratic principles and human rights was not something the EU was demanding in the wake of the attempted coup –it was tabled as a basic precondition for the country to be able to join the EU at some future date. Even in the wake of a coup everyone should have the right to a fair trial, Mr. Zaorálek said.

Deputy Prime Minister Pavel Bělobrádek described developments in Turkey as “alarming”. The lynching of soldiers, calls for the reintroduction of capital punishment and the removal of close to 3,000 judges cannot be described as “rule of law”, moreover it is obvious that the lists of people to be removed were prepared well in advance, Bělobrádek said.

Pavel Bělobrádek, photo: Filip Jandourek

Equally strong words came from the opposition benches, Civic Democrat leader Petr Fiala said current developments in Turkey showed it was a mistake to launch accession talks with Ankara and even consider lifting visa requirements for Turkish nationals. While Marek Ženíšek deputy chair of TOP 09 said Turkey was clearly moving towards a hardline dictatorhip and the EU should react to the situation by ending accession talks.