Gov’t decided to extend state of emergency for three more months: Deputy PM

ANKARA

The government on Oct. 16 decided to extend for a further three months Turkey's state of emergency, which was first imposed after last year’s failed coup attempt, spokesperson Bekir Bozdağ has stated.

Turkey’s National Security Council on Oct. 16 suggested the extension of the state of emergency rule.

“The state of emergency imposed across the country as a part of the fight against all terror organizations, primarily FETÖ/PDY [Fethullahist Terrorist Organization/Parallel State Structure], PKK/PYD-YPG [outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party/Democratic Union Party-People’s Protection Units] and DEASH [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – ISIL], was evaluated and it was decided that the extension of the state of emergency was advised to the government to maintain the continuity of measures to protect the principle of the rule of law and the rights and freedoms of our citizens,” a statement released after the meeting said.

Turkey declared a state of emergency on July 21, 2016, after the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016. The current rule had been extended for another three months, the fourth time as of July 19.

According to the Turkish Constitution, a state of emergency can be declared for a maximum period of six months.

During the state of emergency, the cabinet has the right to issue statutory decrees under the president of the republic without regard to routine procedures and restrictions in Article 91 of the constitution. These decrees are first published in the Official Gazette and then submitted to parliament for ratification.