Panel Event on The implications of President Erdogan’s election for Türkiye and the wider world

The PHRG organised this event to consider the domestic and international implications of President Erdogan winning a third term in office, report on serious and systematic human rights violations, and explore how pressure could be exerted on Türkiye to comply with international human rights obligations, and how human rights defenders and victims could be supported.  

Speakers: 

• William Armstrong – Türkiye analyst, BBC Monitoring; 

• Gozde Aslanhan – Türkiye Project Coordinator, Minority Rights Group. 

Main Points: 

• The domestic political situation remains characterised by the repression of opposition, and the silencing of critical voices more generally. 

• The President may wish to rewrite the constitution to promote pro-family and anti-LGBT policy. 

• The ruling party does not, however, have the necessary majority to amend the constitution but may consider holding a referendum to do so. 

• Türkiye continues to use the migrant deal as leverage with the EU.  

• The Council of Europe – Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) and Committee of Ministers – continues to raise emblematic cases with Türkiye, e.g., the detention of businessman and philanthropist Osman Kavala.  The CoE has no desire, however, to eject Türkiye or impose sanctions on it.  

The PHRG will continue to monitor the political situation and human rights cases in Türkiye and to raise its concerns with relevant interlocutors.