The Turkish government, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the AKP, has intensified its crackdown on political opposition, journalists, and activists. In a series of coordinated operations across ten provinces, numerous journalists, artists, and politicians were detained, and their access to legal representation was blocked.
Mass Arrests Target Opposition Figures
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued arrest warrants for 60 individuals, leading to the detention of 52 people. The justification for these arrests was their alleged association with the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK), a coalition of leftist and democratic parties, including the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). Established 12 years ago, HDK has been a key platform for progressive and opposition voices in Turkey.
Iskender Bayhan, a member of the Turkish Parliament from the Labour Party (EMEP), has condemned these arrests, stating that a large-scale crackdown affecting around 6,000 people is underway. He called for the immediate release of those unlawfully detained.
Erdoğan’s Increasing Aggression
The local elections on March 31, 2024, saw significant victories for opposition parties, including the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and the Green Left Party (Dem Party). However, Erdoğan responded by appointing government trustees (kayyums) to 11 municipalities where his party had lost. Most recently, a government-appointed trustee was imposed on the city of Van, the second-largest Kurdish-majority city in Turkey. Legal experts argue that these actions have no constitutional basis.
A Desperate Bid to Cling to Power
Public opinion polls indicate that Erdoğan’s popularity is declining, and projections suggest he will lose the next election. Furthermore, he is ineligible to run in the 2028 elections. In response, Erdoğan is seeking to manufacture a crisis to justify early elections, allowing him to extend his rule by another five years. His strategy involves creating a climate of fear and eliminating political rivals.
One of his primary targets is Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, a leading opposition figure. The government has repeatedly filed lawsuits against İmamoğlu, attempting to disqualify him from politics. A notable example is the legal case accusing him of “insulting” former Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu by using the same derogatory term that Soylu had previously directed at him. This case is being used as a pretext to impose a prison sentence and a political ban on İmamoğlu.
Attacks on Labor and Press Freedoms
The crackdown extends beyond political figures to labor leaders and journalists. Mehmet Türkmen, the president of the textile workers’ union Birtek-Sen, was arrested for organizing workers—an act that should be a fundamental right. The government has also banned strikes and protests in the city of Antep, where two factories linked to an AKP-affiliated politician were facing labor unrest.
Journalists are also being imprisoned for exposing corruption and government misconduct. Political party leaders, artists, and activists are being arrested for speaking out against Erdoğan’s rule. In some cases, individuals are facing prosecution for incidents that occurred 10, 15, or even 20 years ago.
The crackdown has intensified over the past four months, with authorities even targeting individuals for their participation in the 2013 Gezi Park protests. A striking example is the recent arrest of Ayşe Barım, a talent manager, accused of organizing the protests—despite having no involvement. Her real “crime” appears to be managing artists who supported the protests.
A Nation on the Brink of Dictatorship
Turkey is rapidly moving toward authoritarian rule, a reality that is clear to the international community. Revolutionary and democratic circles, labor unions, and all opposition groups are under threat.
European nations, particularly the United Kingdom, must not remain silent in the face of these repressive measures. Defending human rights and the rule of law is the responsibility of all democratic countries. Allowing Erdoğan’s actions to go unchallenged only serves to legitimize his authoritarian rule.
We call on the international community to stand in solidarity with the people of Turkey and support their fight for democracy and justice.
