11 May 2012

The Trials of Turkey’s Military Coup Organisers and Political Implications

In April 2012, Turkish authorities initiated trials of the organizers of the 1980 military coup and arrested dozens of army officers accused of being responsible for the 1997 coup. These actions are another attempt to come to terms with Turkey’s past. They can also contribute to strengthening democracy and the rule of law in this country. The EU should therefore monitor the processes to avoid judicial irregularities and tampering with evidence. It should also support the Turkish authorities in their efforts to further democratize the country, and encourage them to conduct smooth constitutional reforms that broaden the scope of civil liberties and rights.

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