"The situation concerning Kozi-Ipek (is) worrying. We continue to follow the situation very closely," said Catherine Ray, spokeswoman for EU foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini.
"We want to reiterate the importance of respect of the rule of law and media freedom," Ray told a regular European Commission press briefing.
"We expect this election to be in line with international and democratic standards," she added.
Erdogan is hoping to regain a parliamentary majority in polls Sunday but the opposition claim he is manipulating a press crackdown and a bloody new campaign against Kurdish rebels to win over voters.
The president rejects the charges, saying he is ensuring national security at a time when the Syrian conflict has stoked regional tensions and forced more than two million refugees to seek safety in Turkey.
Turkey is a candidate country for EU membership but accession talks have stalled, largely on reservations in the bloc over its human rights record.
With the migrant crisis in Europe deepening, Brussels has sought Erdogan's help in controlling the flood of refugees crossing into Greece which in return has asked for three billion euros ($3.2 billion) in aid and to speed up the accession process.
On Wednesday, riot police firing tear gas and water cannon stormed the Istanbul headquarters of the Kozi-Ipek conglomerate linked to exiled preacher Fethullah Gulen, a one-time Erdogan ally now regarded as his arch enemy.
Ray recalled that as an EU candidate country, Turkey "must ensure respect of human rights which includes freedom of expression."
"We will continue to raise the issue of freedom of expression with the Turkish authorities."
Asked about the situation in Turkey on Tuesday, the Commission, the EU's executive arm, had declined to comment on what it termed "internal matters."
- Journalists asked again Wednesday when the Commission would publish the regular annual report on Turkey's accession talks, suggesting it was being delayed because of the tense political backdrop.
- "Nothing was postponed. President (Jean-Claude Juncker) will determine when it is the appropriate moment to publish the report," a Commission spokesman said.
In remarks Tuesday, Juncker had appeared to suggest that while the EU would continue to press Ankara on its rights concerns, the 28-nation bloc still had to pursue dialogue with Turkey to resolve pressing issues such as the migrant crisis.
AFP
ahram.org.eg
28/10/15
--
-
Related:
-
Related:
Turkey: Truck full of heavy weapons seized near Syrian border in Adana.
Six suspects sent to court over ammunition bound for Syria seized in Adana....
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
La police turque a pris mercredi en direct le contrôle de la régie des télévisions Bugün TV et Kanaltürk à Istanbul, dont le groupe proche d'un ennemi du président Recep Tayyip Erdogan fait l'objet d'une mise sous tutelle controversée à la veille des législatives...
ReplyDeleteDevant les caméras, les forces de l'ordre ont pénétré dans le siège des deux chaînes, propriété du groupe Koza-Ipek, en dispersant les salariés qui le protégeaient avec des gaz lacrymogènes et des canons à eau, selon les images retransmises en direct par Bugün TV sur son site internet.
"Ennemi public numéro 1"
La justice turque a décidé lundi de mettre sous tutelle la holding Koza-Ipek, accusée selon un procureur d'Ankara de "financer", "recruter" et "faire de la propagande" pour le compte de l'imam Fethullah Gülen, qui dirige depuis les États-Unis un influent réseau d'ONG, médias et entreprises qualifié par les autorités d'"organisation terroriste".
Ancien allié du président Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Gülen est devenu son "ennemi public numéro 1" depuis le scandale de corruption qui a visé des proches de l'homme fort du pays et des membres de son gouvernement fin 2013.
http://www.rtbf.be/info/monde/asie/detail_turquie-la-police-prend-en-direct-le-controle-de-2-chaines-de-tele-d-opposition?id=9120710