On Thursday 4 February, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service expressed the EU’s serious concern about the “negative developments” in Turkey with regard to the Rule of law, human rights, and the judicial system.
In particular, the spokesperson considered that the detention of more than a hundred students “exercising their legitimate right” to freedom of assembly and the decision of the governor of Istanbul to ban all kinds of meetings, demonstrations and marches in two districts near the University of Boğaziçi were “a deeply worrying development” and went against the authorities’ commitment to reforms aimed at bringing them closer to EU values and standards.
On 1 February, Turkish authorities arrested 159 students, who were demanding, among other things, the release of four students arrested for hanging a painting depicting a sacred site of Islam decorated with rainbow flags, a symbol associated with the LGBT community.
“Hate speech displayed by high-level officials against LGBTI students during these events and the closing of an LGBTI association is unacceptable”, the spokesperson added. In particular, the Turkish Interior Minister described the four students as “crazy”.
The spokesperson called on Turkey to release those arbitrarily detained for exercising their right to peaceful assembly.
The Turkish Foreign Minister denounced international criticism. “We recommend that those (...) who intend to give Turkey lessons on democracy and the law look at themselves in the mirror. No one should exceed their limits and interfere in Turkey’s internal affairs”, warned the ministry. According to the ministry, some groups outside the university that are affiliated with terrorist organisations have tried to infiltrate and provoke events. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)