SITUATION IN TURKEY

That this House continues to be extremely concerned about the on-going crackdown on media workers, lawyers, public servants, parliamentarians and non-violent political activists in Turkey; notes that many parliamentarians, including Enis Berberoglu, Figen Yuksekdag and Selahattin Demirtas and over 150 media professionals, including Ahmet Altan, Ahmet Sik and Musa Kart, are being prosecuted on spurious charges; further notes that, since the coup attempt in July 2016, authorities in Turkey have reportedly arrested 50,000 people, sacked or suspended 150,000, and shut down over 100 media outlets; hopes that those on the March for Justice from Ankara to Istanbul, led by the leader of the CHP opposition party, are able to conclude their peaceful protest without incident; fears that the attempted coup is being used as yet another pretext to muzzle dissent and purge opponents and that Turkey's long-term stability is being undermined; categorically condemns the use of violence, including attempts to subvert democratically-elected governments by force; and calls on the Government to press the importance of respect for fundamental human rights and rule of law, as well as to raise specific concerns and cases, with counterparts in Turkey, including at the highest levels, as a matter of urgency.