CHP chair says Turkey deserves an ‘advanced democracy’

“Today there is news of the report [the 2015 progress report on Turkey] adopted by the European Parliament. At the same time, there is the U.S. State Department’s Human Rights Report. Both reports are against Turkey,” Kılıçdaroğlu told reporters on April 15, upon arriving in the Black Sea province of Rize for a two-day visit. 

“This really saddens me and Turkey does not deserve this situation,” he added. 

The CHP head called on Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu to join forces and “truly make Turkey an advanced democracy.”

Both the European Parliament and the U.S. State Department issued stern criticism of Turkey’s direction on April 15, through reports that were harshly critical of the deterioration in civil rights and liberties. 

The European Parliament said it was “deeply concerned” at Ankara’s violation of criteria necessary to join the EU “in the light of backsliding in respect for democracy and the rule of law.”

European Parliament Turkey Rapporteur Kati Piri said the regression in areas such as freedom of expression and the independence of the judiciary was “particularly worrying,” adding that the overall pace of reforms has also slowed down. 

Meanwhile, the U.S.’s annual country reports on human rights practices also slammed the AKP government over interference with freedom of expression, arbitrary application of laws, and inadequate protection of civilians amid ongoing clashes with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the country’s southeast.