COE, PACE condemn deadly attacks in Turkey, call for discretion

ISTANBUL

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The Council of Europe (COE) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) have condemned the recent attacks targeting Turkish security forces by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants as well as the latest attacks on Turkish political parties and media outlets.

The COE Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland said the recent incidents in Turkey risked destabilizing its democracy.

“Recent events in Turkey are very worrying. I strongly condemn the deadly attacks on Turkish security forces. And I express my sincere condolences to all victims of violence over the past days. I am also alarmed by the attacks on political parties and media outlets, which risk destabilizing democracy,” Jagland said in a statement on Sept. 9. He also urged authorities to do all possible to protect citizens and democratic life.

In addition, PACE President Anne Brasseur has also voiced “grave concern” over the violent attacks in Turkey, calling the attacks on army and law enforcement officials “unacceptable,” urging discretion and a halt to violent acts.

She also condemned the attacks against several Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) headquarters and Hürriyet’s Istanbul offices, which occurred over the last 48 hours. “It is equally unacceptable that political parties and media institutions become the target of violent attacks. […] This is very worrying in the light of the forthcoming early parliamentary elections, which have to be held in a pluralistic and free political and media environment,” she said, adding that authorities and political leaders must “contribute to ensuring the respect of these fundamental standards.”