During a press conference in Ankara on Monday, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized that the right to protest and press freedom are vital components of democracy. His remarks came in response to questions regarding Turkish authorities’ actions against dissenters and the restrictions imposed ahead of this week’s NATO summit.
The summit, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, will be attended by leaders from 32 allied nations and officials from partner countries.
On Sunday, Turkish authorities detained over 100 individuals following protests organized by leftist parties and groups, with another 103 arrests made during anti-terror operations in Ankara.
When questioned by reporters about the recent wave of detentions and arrests in Turkey, which included journalists and a prominent Turkish comedian, Deniz Göktaş, Rutte asserted that democracy encompasses more than just holding elections. He stated, “Democracy also means that people have the right to organize demonstrations if they wish. It goes far beyond free elections, especially concerning the media,” highlighting the importance of media representatives being able to attend significant events.
This statement arises amid reports that several independent Turkish journalists have been denied accreditation for the summit. Turkish authorities maintain that the operations are aimed at militant activities and are unrelated to the upcoming summit.
Western allies of Ankara have largely sidestepped human rights accusations related to Turkey’s treatment of dissenters in recent years. Critics of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s regime argue that such an attitude has weakened the Turkish opposition and overlooked foundational principles of the alliance, such as democracy and the rule of law.
