U.S. Mission to International
Organizations in Geneva

As delivered by Daniel Kronenfeld

The United States welcomes Turkey’s delegation.  We recommend Turkey:

1. Reform Article 7(2) of the Anti-Terrorism Act and Article 220(8) of the Turkish Penal Code to address only incitement to imminent terrorist acts, and ensure that any restrictions on expressions of opinion are consistent with Article 19(3) of the ICCPR.
2. End arbitrary arrests of media professionals, civil society activists, academics, and so many others for exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms. End discrimination against members of religious minority groups.
3. Revise the structure and appointment process of the Council of Judges and Prosecutors to ensure appointments and promotions are based on objective criteria, and insulate the CPJ from executive interference.

We remain deeply concerned by the suspension of democratically elected mayors in the southeast.  We call on Turkey to ensure fair trial guarantees, due process, and the right of individuals to elect their representatives.