Demonstrations across Turkey demand end to state of emergency

Supporters of Turkey's main opposition party have staged sit-ins across the country to protest President Erdogan's renewal of the state of emergency for seventh time.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab

16 April, 2018

Turks protest against the state of emergency at Istiklal Avenue, Istanbul [Getty]

Turkey's main opposition party have staged sit-in demonstrations across the country to protest the state of emergency declared in 2016 following a failed coup attempt.

The protests happened in all of Turkey's 81 provinces on Monday as the Turkish government prepares to extend the state of emergency for the seventh time.

CHP, the opposition Republican People's Party accused the government of misusing its emergency power to bypass parliament, crack down on critics and erode democracy.

Erdogan's government insists however that the powers are needed to combat ongoing security threats.

Hundreds of CHP supporters gathered in a street near Istanbul's Taksim Square after the police blocked their access to the city's main square.

The UN has slammed Turkey for its "protracted state of emergency" following the failed July 2016 coup attempt. Turkish authorities have since arrested thousands of people.

The UN also warned that the use of emergency powers appeared "to stifle any form of criticism or dissent vis-a-vis the government".

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