Statement on Events in Turkey

The Green Party strongly condemns the ongoing political crackdown in Turkey, marked by the recent arrest of Istanbul’s elected mayor, Ekrem Imamoğlu, widely regarded as President Erdoğan’s most formidable political rival. Imamoğlu was taken into custody on March 19th and formally arrested on corruption charges four days later. Mahir Polat, the director of the Istanbul Heritage project, was also detained and arrested despite facing serious health issues. Turkish authorities have also arrested journalists and deported international correspondents, accusing them of being a "threat to public order".

Turkish opposition parties claim that the arrest of Imamoğlu, other politicians and journalists is politically motived and part of a broader pattern of political repression. The arrests have triggered widespread, largely peaceful protests, which have been met with police violence and mass arrests and reports of beatings and torture in custody.

Councillor Janet Horner says “The developments of the past two weeks signal Turkey’s most severe authoritarian shift yet, marking a departure from competitive authoritarianism toward full autocracy. Ireland, the EU and the wider global community must act to protect fundamental human rights in Turkey, for fair elections, free from intimidation, for journalistic freedom and for the right to peaceful assembly and protest.”

Roderic O’Gorman TD said, “The Green Party stands in solidarity with those fighting for democracy and fundamental rights in Turkey and calls on the international community to take urgent action in response to this deepening crisis.”