EU criticises Turkey over human rights

The European Commission has called on Turkey urgently to address significant failings on human rights and democracy. A delayed annual report on Turkish prospects for EU membership says there have been serious setbacks in the past two years on freedom of expression. It also says the independence of the judiciary had been undermined and that […]

The European Commission has called on Turkey urgently to address significant failings on human rights and democracy.
A delayed annual report on Turkish prospects for EU membership says there have been serious setbacks in the past two years on freedom of expression.
It also says the independence of the judiciary had been undermined and that new laws run against EU standards.
The report’s publication comes at a time when the EU needs Turkey’s help in trying to control the refugee crisis.
It also follows parliamentary elections in which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) regained the majority it lost in June.
Responding to the report, Turkey’s ministry for EU affairs called the comments “unfair and excessive”, adding that they do not “duly reflect Turkey’s reforms in these fields”.