UN rights chief condemns latest Turkey purge
Erdogan's government dismissed nearly 4,000 public officials, including 1,000 people working for the justice ministry
Jordan's Prince Zeid al-Hussein High Commissioner for Human Rights attends news conference at UN in Geneva. PHOTO: REUTERS
GENEVA:
It is "highly unlikely" Turkey followed due process in the mass arrests and firings since July's failed coup, the UN rights chief said Monday, specifically condemning fresh dismissals at the weekend.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government dismissed nearly 4,000 public officials on Saturday, including more than 1,000 people working for the justice ministry, in the latest purge since the thwarted coup and two weeks after Erdogan narrowly won a referendum on enhancing his powers.
Turkish authorities expel more than 3,900 from civil service in latest purge
"With such a large number, it is highly unlikely these suspensions and detentions will have met due process standards," UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said, referring to the 3,974 public officials who were fired and the wider nine-month crackdown.
Erdogan celebrates referendum win, rivals urge recount
Zeid also said he was "very concerned about the renewed state of emergency," which Turkey extended by parliamentary vote on April 18, saying the decision was made amid "a climate of fear in the country."
The state of emergency in place since the coup bid has seen a total of 47,000 people arrested and prompted fears that the crackdown is being used to go after all opponents of Erdogan.
It is "highly unlikely" Turkey followed due process in the mass arrests and firings since July's failed coup, the UN rights chief said Monday, specifically condemning fresh dismissals at the weekend.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government dismissed nearly 4,000 public officials on Saturday, including more than 1,000 people working for the justice ministry, in the latest purge since the thwarted coup and two weeks after Erdogan narrowly won a referendum on enhancing his powers.
Turkish authorities expel more than 3,900 from civil service in latest purge
"With such a large number, it is highly unlikely these suspensions and detentions will have met due process standards," UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said, referring to the 3,974 public officials who were fired and the wider nine-month crackdown.
Erdogan celebrates referendum win, rivals urge recount
Zeid also said he was "very concerned about the renewed state of emergency," which Turkey extended by parliamentary vote on April 18, saying the decision was made amid "a climate of fear in the country."
The state of emergency in place since the coup bid has seen a total of 47,000 people arrested and prompted fears that the crackdown is being used to go after all opponents of Erdogan.