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Prudence required

Jul 18,2016 - Last updated at Jul 18,2016

The international community rejoiced when the attempted coup in Turkey failed at the very root level, seeing it as a triumph for democracy. But there are now growing concerns about the government’s measures to weed out suspected plotters. 

An attempt to overthrow a democratically elected government certainly must not be taken lightly, and all measures must be taken in accordance with the law to bring those involved to justice.

However, state authorities have to ensure that any measures taken in the aftermath of the failed coup would not undermine the rights of the minority and the opposition, but — on the contrary — show due respect to them and their concerns, particularly that they acted in a chivalrous manner by doing the right thing: supporting the democratically elected government.

In the aftermath of the putsch, Turkey has so far detained some 6,000 people. They include hundreds of judges and prosecutors, and more than two-dozen generals.

With judges belonging to the highest courts of the land, including the constitutional court, and public prosecutors being rounded up by the dozens, the need to ensure due process is more important than ever.

The united internal front that stood against the military coup shows how highly the Turkish people value democracy and the extent of their political awareness.

The Turkish government, as it deals with security challenges in a volatile region, can capitalise on this unity to shore up democracy and ensure that no similar attempts can be made in the future to change the government by force.

 

Turkey’s security is key to the region’s stability, and in these tough times, prudence is required to safeguard that stability and ensure internal unity in the face of any disruptive attempts.

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