Ismail Doğruer
Erdoğan Government’s “Pre-NATO Sweep” Ahead of the Summit
Turkey’s state authorities appear to have carried out what critics describe as a political “cleanup operation” before the NATO Summit. According to opponents of the government’s actions, 135 journalists, academics, social activists, anti-war and anti-NATO campaigners, and environmental advocates were effectively sacrificed as a demonstration of loyalty to U.S. President Donald Trump and the NATO alliance.
Among those detained are many citizens in their 60s and 70s. Authorities subsequently ordered the arrest of 103 of them on allegations of links to illegal organizations, and they were transferred to prison pending judicial proceedings.
In Ankara, early-morning police operations targeted members of the TEMA Foundation, with authorities alleging connections to the outlawed TKP/ML. Critics argue that these detentions and arrests were intended to ensure a politically quiet atmosphere and present an image of domestic stability during the NATO Summit.
The governments of NATO member states appear to have shown little public reaction to what human rights advocates describe as violations of fundamental freedoms, including constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Press Freedom and Constitutional Rights Under Pressure
In a public statement, the TEMA Foundation described the detention of its members following a nature outing as an unfortunate development. Journalist Yıldız Tar also criticized the accusations linking those detained to illegal organizations.
Following the arrests, numerous civil society organizations representing broad segments of public opinion called for the immediate release of those detained. The developments continue to attract attention and criticism from the international community.
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