Labour MP Corbyn expresses "greatest concern" for closing down of political parties in Turkey

British Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn expressed his "greatest concern for the closing down of political parties” in Turkey.

British Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn said in a contribution to the Council of Europe debate on Turkey that he was “very concerned about the many issues facing the people of Turkey at the present time.” In particular, he said to be concerned about “President Erdogan’s attempt to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention: This convention was a huge step forward in the protection of women in society. It is a terrible message when any government tries to withdraw from something that at the outset clearly a huge step forward.”

Corbyn “strongly urge the Turkish government to reconsider that step, and to recommit fully and unequivocally to the Istanbul Convention.”

Likewise, the British politician said that “anyone who believes in free speech must be concerned at the number of journalists who have been imprisoned, apparently for expressing criticism of the government of Turkey. This is unacceptable and journalists should be able to speak out freely without fear of legal action when they are giving an opinion or telling the truth about a situation.”

As for the closing down of political parties, Corbyn said it “is also of the greatest concern. The rights of minorities in Turkey must be respected within the terms of the Convention on Human Rights and I draw your attention to the rights of Kurdish people to their linguistic and cultural freedoms as well as political expression.”