Switzerland Basels Starke Alternative (BastA) Party Secretary General Martin Fluckiger spoke to ANF on the Turkish President Erdoğan’s post-July 15 Military Coup politics and the increasing attacks on the Kurdish and leftist/opposition press.

“THE STATE OF EMERGENCY SERVES ERDOĞAN’S DEMANDS”

Flückiger mentioned the July 15 military coup attempt and said Erdoğan turned the coup attempt into an advantage for himself and started implementing the changes he wanted in the country. Flückiger underlined that the State of Emergency declared after the coup attempt served Erdoğan’s demands completely and that with the State of Emergency practice, Erdoğan increased his pressure on the people and all institutions every day.

“ERDOĞAN CONTINUES THE INTERRUPTED COUP”

“Erdoğan declared war on anybody who isn’t with him with the state of emergency laws,” said Flückiger and added: “All who aren’t on Erdoğan’s side lose their jobs. After the coup process, everybody fears detention now. Public workers, judges, teachers, lawyers, journalists, mayors, human rights defenders, in short anybody who isn’t on Erdoğan’s side, gets arrested or fired. Torture in prisons is on the rise. Municipalities are confiscated arbitrarily. We can openly say that the interrupted coup continues with Erdoğan in another mask.”

“FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND PRESS FREEDOM ARE IGNORED”

Flückiger also mentioned the attacks on the free and leftist/opposition press and said: “Turkey has once again ignored the fundamental principle of democracy with the attacks on the press. Erdoğan has closed nearly a hundred press institutions that opposed him. The remaining media is producing propaganda for Erdoğan and his regime. I say this once more, with these attacks, the freedom of expression and press freedom have been ignored.”

“TURKEY IS EN ROUTE TO A FASCIST STATE”

“Turkey is en route to a fascist state,” said Flückiger and continued: “I normally refrain from using this word, but we can actually say that Turkey is en route to a fascist state. Because Erdoğan took Turkey to this position with his politics. Erdoğan provokes people against one another and fans the flames of racism openly. And while he’s doing all these, he ignores all fundamental human rights values and in the manner of an authoritarian leader, he positions himself as a fascist leader.”

“EUROPE’S POLICES SUPPORT ERDOĞAN”

Flückiger underlined that Europe staying silent while Turkey turns into a fascist structure is unacceptable and said: “Under normal circumstances, Europe would have to act immediately and intervene with Erdoğan in the face of the developments in Turkey. Because Europe has experience on the fascist state structures. Europe knows very well where the developments in Turkey will end. But Europe does the opposite of what it should today, and in a sense becomes a partner in Erdoğan’s acts.”

Flückiger said especially Germany was displaying politics to protect Erdoğan due to their own interests, and that with the French company Eutelsat stopping Med Nûçe TV’s broadcast, France has come to a position to openly support Erdoğan’s politics as well.

“SOLIDARITY KNOWS NO BORDERS, NOW IT’S THE TIME TO COME TOGETHER MORE”

Flückiger also mentioned the refugee deal Europe made with Turkey and said: “With all the deals, the refugees are prevented from reaching Europe and people’s right to asylum is being ignored. Europe stays silent in the face of the fascist approach in Turkey and the refugee politics of Hungary, just to protect itself. Europe should leave this policy at once and intervene with Turkey.”

Flückiger said the peoples must fight together against the system Erdoğan wants to build and continued: “There is much to learn from the history of humanity, but for some reason this doesn’t happen. We need a solidarity that transcends borders in order for humanity to live together in a beautiful world. I felt that solidarity knows no borders very strongly when I visited Northern Kurdistan. Now it’s time to come together more. Solidarity knows no borders.”