Turkey’s local elections observers from the Council of Europe criticized Turkish government that they are not fully convinced that Turkey currently had the free and fair electoral environment which was necessary for genuinely democratic elections in line with European values and principles.
Andrew Dawson, the head of the observers delegation held a press conference in Ankara on Monday informing Turkish press that The Council of Europe’s monitoring mission deployed 22 observers from 20 different European countries. Dawson told the delegation was divided into 10 teams and these teams were deployed throughout Turkey. The delegation reportedly witnessed voting taking place in around 140 polling stations.
Dawson told “It needs an atmosphere where media freedom is absolutely ensured. Where journalists can carry out their reporting and commentary without running the risk of being fired for making regime-critical reports or perhaps ending up in prison just for expressing their legal and legitimate views”.
“There should be equal access for all parties running in elections to the media. Voters need to be able to get a balanced picture of the contestants’ programmes and objectives. An equal playing field for all is an absolute prerequisite for an election campaign to be called fair and free” said Dawson.
According to Dawson Turkey needs a fair and reasonable legal framework overseen by a robust judiciary – willing to uphold the rule of law without fear or favour.
Dawson also called on the Turkish authorities to take the 31 March local elections as an opportunity to change course and added “The local representatives elected yesterday must be able to exercise their mandate freely and in accordance with the European Charter of Local Self-Government of the Congress of the Council of Europe to which Turkey is a Party.”
The post Council of Europe: No fair election in line with European values appeared first on Stockholm Center for Freedom.
from SCF
Hiç yorum yok:
Yorum Gönder