View source for Purges in Turkey following the 2016 Turkish coup attempt

{{Short description|none}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox civil conflict
| title = 2016–present purges in Turkey
| latitude =
| longitude =
| partof = [[AKP–Gülen movement conflict]]
| image = {{Location map many | Turkey
| width    = 310
| lat1_deg = 39.875
| lon1_deg = 32.833
| label1   = Ankara
| lat2_deg = 41.005
| lon2_deg = 28.977
| label2   = Istanbul }}
| caption =
| date = 16 July 2016 – ongoing  ('''disputed''')<ref name="NPRpurges">{{cite news |title=Turkey's State Of Emergency Ends, While Erdogan's Power Grows And 'Purge' Continues |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/07/26/632307755/turkeys-state-of-emergency-ends-while-erdogans-power-grows-and-purge-continues?t=1534676536454 |work=[[NPR]] |date=26 July 2018}}</ref><ref name="DWpurges">{{cite news |title=Turkey ends state of emergency, but eyes tough terror bill |url=https://www.dw.com/en/turkey-ends-state-of-emergency-but-eyes-tough-terror-bill/a-44739765 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=19 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="bloomberg">{{cite news |title=Turkey Ends Emergency Rule But Erdogan's War on Enemies Not Over |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-18/turkey-ends-emergency-rule-but-erdogan-s-war-on-enemies-not-over |work=Bloomberg |date= 18 July 2018}}</ref><ref name="eupurges">{{cite news |title=Turkey ends state of emergency but continues crackdown |url=https://euobserver.com/enlargement/142419 |work=[[EUobserver]] |date=19 July 2018}}</ref><br/>({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=07|day1=16|year1=2016}})
| place = {{flat list| * Nationwide; cities with high civil servant populations ([[Ankara]], [[Istanbul]]) }}
| coordinates =
| status = [[List of ongoing armed conflicts|Ongoing]]
{{plainlist|
* Over 160,000 judges, teachers, police and civil servants suspended or dismissed, together with about 77,000 formally arrested.<ref>{{cite news |title=Turkey elections: Six arrested for 'insulting Erdogan' on social media ahead of major national polls |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-elections-arrests-insulting-president-erdogan-opposition-a8414146.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-elections-arrests-insulting-president-erdogan-opposition-a8414146.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Independent |date=24 June 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security/turkey-orders-detention-of-132-people-in-coup-probe-agency-idUSKBN1JM0T6 |title=Turkey orders detention of 132 people in coup probe: agency |work=Reuters|date=26 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Turkey arrests German for spreading Kurdish propaganda: Anadolu |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-germany-turkey-security/turkey-arrests-german-for-spreading-kurdish-propaganda-anadolu-idUSKBN1KF2ZX |work=Reuters |date=25 July 2018}}</ref>}}
| result =
| side1 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Turkey.svg}} [[Government of Turkey]]
* [[Turkish Armed Forces]]
** [[Turkish Land Forces]]
** [[Turkish Air Force]]
** [[Turkish Naval Forces]]
* [[Turkish Gendarmerie]]
** [[JİTEM]]
* [[Special Forces Command (Turkey)|Special Forces Command]]
* [[General Directorate of Security (Turkey)|General Directorate of Security]]
** [[Çevik Kuvvet|Riot Police]]
** [[Police Special Operation Department]]
* [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Turkey)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]]
* [[Ministry of National Defense (Turkey)|National Defense]]
* [[Ministry of the Interior (Turkey)|Ministry of the Interior]]
| side2 = {{unbulleted list
|[[Gülen movement]]{{unordered list
|Stated supporters of [[Fethullah Gülen]] in civil service, education, journalism, judiciary and military
|[[Peace at Home Council]]}}
|[[Gülen movement]] and [[PKK]] supporters
|Later extended to opposition [[Peoples' Democratic Party (Turkey)|HDP]] and [[Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party|DEM Party]] supporters}}
| leadfigures1 = {{plainlist|
*'''[[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]]'''
*[[Binali Yıldırım]]
*[[Hulusi Akar]]
*[[Ümit Dündar]]
*[[Yaşar Güler]]}}
| leadfigures2 = '''[[Fethullah Gülen]]'''<br/><small>(alleged by Turkey)</small>
| units1 = {{plainlist|
*{{Flagicon|Turkey}} Loyalists of the [[Turkish Armed Forces]]<ref name="AP">{{cite news |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/e9096c0529414e8f959d86f8897e62be/latest-report-turkish-military-says-its-taken-control |title=The Latest: Parliament speaker says lawmakers safe |agency=Associated Press |date=15 July 2016 |access-date=15 July 2016 |archive-date=10 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410005916/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/e9096c0529414e8f959d86f8897e62be/latest-report-turkish-military-says-its-taken-control |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|Turkey}} [[National Intelligence Organization (Turkey)|National Intelligence Organization]]
*{{Flagicon|Turkey}} [[Grand National Assembly of Turkey|Turkish parliament]]
*{{Flagicon|Turkey}} Judiciary in Turkey
*{{Flagicon|Turkey}} [[Turkish National Police|National Police]]}}
| units2 =
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| casualties1 = None
| casualties2 = {{plainlist|
* Over 80,000 arrested or detained, 150,000 dismissed<ref name="Reuteur200620">{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security/turkey-orders-detention-of-more-than-400-people-with-alleged-gulen-links-idUSKBN23G0QD|title = Turkey orders detention of more than 400 people with alleged Gulen links|newspaper = Reuters|date = 9 June 2020}}</ref> (nearing 10% of public employees<ref name="OECD2012">{{citation|author=[[OECD]]|title=Human Resources Management Country Profiles TURKEY |year=2012|url=https://www.oecd.org/gov/pem/OECD%20HRM%20Profile%20-%20Turkey.pdf}}</ref>)
*15,846 detained<ref name="guardian.ng">{{cite news|url=http://guardian.ng/news/erdogan-back-in-ankara-as-thousands-hit-by-turkey-purge/|title=Erdogan back in Ankara as thousands hit by Turkey purge|agency= [[Agence France Press|AFP]]| website= guardian.ng | publisher= Guardian Newspapers | date= 20 July 2016 |access-date= 18 August 2016 }}</ref> <small>(10,012 soldiers, 1,481 judiciary members)</small><ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2512989&Language=en| date= 19 July 2016| location= Istanbul| title= 240 Turkey's regime supporters killed in failed coup attempt| website= kuna.net.kw| publisher= Kuwait News Agency| language= en| access-date= 18 August 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160818181251/http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2512989&Language=en| archive-date= 18 August 2016|url-status = dead| df= dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="military says 8,651">{{cite web| url= http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/military-says-8651-soldiers-participated-in-turkeys-coup-attempt.aspx?pageID=238&nID=102137&NewsCatID=341|title= Military says 8,651 soldiers participated in Turkey's coup attempt| work= [[Hürriyet Daily News]] |date= 27 July 2016| location= Ankara |access-date=7 August 2016}}</ref>
*8,133 of the detained had been arrested<ref name=reeling>{{cite news| title= Turkey left reeling after failed coup| url= http://thenubiantimes.com/turkey-left-reeling-after-failed-coup/| work= [[The Nubian Times]]| date= 20 July 2016| access-date= 18 August 2016| archive-date= 19 October 2017| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171019055823/http://thenubiantimes.com/turkey-left-reeling-after-failed-coup/| url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/208-people-killed-by-coup-attempters-turkeys-pm-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=101745&NewsCatID=341|title= 208 people killed by coup attempters: Turkey's PM| location= Ankara|work= Hürriet Daily News |date= 18 July 2016| access-date= 18 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title= MEB'te 15 bin kişi açığa alındı, 21 bin öğretmenin lisansı iptal| url= http://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/mebte-15-bin-kisiaciga-alindi-21-bin-ogretmenin-lisansi-iptal,M0MP9gAjX0uGmGAe96Y5mA|publisher=[[NTV (Turkey)]]|access-date= 19 July 2016|language=tr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-says-103-generals-admirals-detained-after-turkeys-failed-coup-attempt.aspx?pageID=238&nID=101757&NewsCatID=509|title= Turkey says 103 generals, admirals detained after Turkey's failed coup attempt|work= Hürriet Daily News| date= 18 July 2016| access-date= 18 August 2016}}</ref>
*[[List of educational institutions shut down in the 2016 Turkish purges|15 universities, 1,043 private schools]], 1,229 charities and foundations, 19 trade unions, 35 medical institutions, [[List of media outlets shut down in the 2016 Turkish purges|16 television channels, 23 radio stations, 45 daily newspapers, 15 magazines and 29 publishing houses]] were shut down.}}
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Since 2016, the [[Government of Turkey|government]] of [[Turkey]] has conducted a series of [[purge]]s, enabled by a [[Martial law and state of emergency in Turkey|state of emergency]] in reaction to the [[2016 Turkish coup attempt|failed coup attempt]] on 15 July that year.<ref name="NPRpurges"/><ref name="DWpurges"/><ref name="bloomberg"/><ref name="eupurges"/> The purges began with the arrest of [[Turkish Armed Forces]] personnel reportedly linked to the coup attempt but arrests were expanded to include other elements of the Turkish military, as well as [[Ministries of Turkey|civil servants]] and private citizens. These later actions reflected a power struggle between [[secularist]] and [[Islamism|Islamist]] political elites in Turkey,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/10/turkey-power-struggle-between-islamists-and-secularits.html|title=Power struggle erupts in Turkey's security structure|date=12 October 2016|author=Metin Gurcan|publisher=[[Al-Monitor]]|access-date=29 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030000137/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/10/turkey-power-struggle-between-islamists-and-secularits.html|archive-date=30 October 2016|url-status = dead}}</ref> affected people who were not active in nor aware of the coup, but who the government claimed were connected with the [[Gülen movement]], an opposition group which the government blamed for the coup. Possession of books authored by Gülen was considered valid evidence of such a connection and cause for arrest.<ref>{{cite news |title=Babasının evinde Gülen'in kitapları çıktı |trans-title=Gülen's books turned up at his father's house |url=http://www.haber10.com/guncel/babasinin_evinde_gulen_in_kitaplari_cikti-648124 |publisher=Haber10 |date=13 August 2016 |access-date=5 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805104727/http://www.haber10.com/guncel/babasinin_evinde_gulen_in_kitaplari_cikti-648124 |archive-date=5 August 2017 |url-status = dead }}</ref>
Tens of thousands of public servants and soldiers were purged in the first week following the coup.<ref name="NYT-tr-purge">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/08/02/world/europe/turkey-purge-erdogan-scale.html|title=The Scale of Turkey's Purge Is Nearly Unprecedented|date=2 August 2016|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=7 August 2016}}</ref> For example, on 16 July 2016, just one day after the coup was foiled, 2,745 judges were dismissed and detained.<ref name="judiciary_purge_AP"/><ref name="dailysabah_purge"/> This was followed by the dismissal, detention or suspension of over 100,000 officials,<ref name="NYT2-tr-purge">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/17/world/europe/turkey-erdogan-gulen-purge.html |title=Turks See Purge as Witch Hunt of 'Medieval' Darkness |work=[[The New York Times]]|date=16 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-18/turkey-launches-mass-raids-against-27gulen-linked27-businesses/7764694 |title=Turkey launches mass raids against 'Gulen-linked' businesses |work=ABC News|date=18 August 2016}}</ref><ref name="CNN2154">{{cite web | url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/20/europe/turkey-failed-coup-attempt/index.html | title=Turkey declares three-month state of emergency | work=[[CNN]].com | date=20 July 2016 | access-date=21 July 2016 | last1=Sariyuce | first1=Isil | last2=Dewan | first2=Angela}}</ref> a figure that had increased to over 110,000 by early November 2016,<ref>{{cite web|title=Turkey draws Western condemnation over arrest of Kurdish lawmakers|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-kurds-idUSKBN12Y2XA|work=Reuters|access-date=4 November 2016|date=4 November 2016}}</ref> over 125,000 after the 22 November decree,<ref name="nyt161122"/> reaching at least 135,000 with the January decrees, about 160,000 after the suspensions and arrests decree of April 29<ref name="Reuters0430"/> and 180,000 after a massive dismissal decree in July 2018. Collectively about 10% of Turkey's 2 million public employees were removed as a result of the purges.<ref name="OECD2012"/> Purged citizens are prevented from working again for the government, which has led in many cases to destitution.<ref name="pri.org">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2020-07-23/expulsions-pushbacks-and-extraditions-turkey-s-war-dissent-extends-europe|title = Expulsions, pushbacks and extraditions: Turkey's war on dissent extends to Europe}}</ref>
In the [[Economy of Turkey|business sector]], the government forcefully seized assets of over a thousand companies, worth between $11 billion<ref name="20170722NYT"/> and $50–60 billion,<ref name="Perrier 20180622">{{cite web|title=Les patrons turcs victimes de la purge d'Erdogan|first=Guillaume|last=Perrier |date=22 June 2018|url=https://www.lesechos.fr/week-end/business-story/enquetes/0301851106434-les-patrons-turcs-victimes-de-la-purge-derdogan-2186413.php|publisher=LesEchos.fr}}</ref> on the charge of being related to Gülen and the coup.<ref name="20170722NYT">{{cite web|author=David Segal |url=https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/07/22/business/turkey-akin-ipek-fethullah-gulen-recep-tayyip-erdogan.html |title=Turkey Sees Foes at Work in Gold Mines, Cafes and 'Smurf Village' - NYTimes.com |publisher=Mobile.nytimes.com |date=22 July 2017 |access-date=18 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-state-appoints-trustees-to-aydinli-group-baklava-chain-faruk-gulluoglu.aspx?pageID=238&nID=109023&NewsCatID=345 |title=Turkish state appoints trustees to Aydınlı Group, baklava chain Faruk Güllüoğlu – BUSINESS |publisher=Hurriyetdailynews.com |date=13 September 2011 |access-date=18 October 2017}}</ref> Goods and services produced by such companies were subject to boycott by the public.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/08/03/541360939/turkish-businesses-snagged-in-governments-post-coup-crackdown |title=Turkish Businesses Snagged In Government's Post-Coup Crackdown : Parallels |newspaper=NPR.org |publisher=NPR |date=3 August 2017 |access-date=18 October 2017}}</ref>
The purges also extend to the media, with television channels, newspapers and other media outlets that were seen as critical of the government being shut down, critical [[List of arrested journalists in Turkey|journalists being arrested]] and [[Block of Wikipedia in Turkey|Wikipedia being blocked]], from April 2017 to January 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/15/world/europe/turkey-wikipedia-access-restored.html|title=Turkey Restores Wikipedia After More Than 2-Year Ban|date=2020-01-15|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-04-02|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Letsch|first=Constanze|title=Turkey shuts 15 media outlets and arrests opposition editor|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/30/turkey-shuts-media-outlets-terrorist-links-civil-servants-press-freedom|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=1 May 2017|date=31 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Counting the closures: Turkey's media shutdown|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/listeningpost/2016/11/counting-closures-turkey-media-shutdown-161106055258438.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=1 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Yeginsu|first=Ceylan|title=Turkey Expands Purge, Shutting Down News Media Outlets|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/28/world/europe/turkey-media-newspapers-shut.html|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=1 May 2017|date=27 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kingsley|first=Patrick|title=Turkey Purges 4,000 More Officials, and Blocks Wikipedia|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/30/world/europe/turkey-purge-wikipedia-tv-dating-shows.html|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=1 May 2017|date=30 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Turkey blocks Wikipedia under law designed to protect national security|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/29/turkey-blocks-wikipedia-under-law-designed-to-protect-national-security|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=1 May 2017|date=29 April 2017}}</ref> Since early September 2016, the post-coup emergency state extended to purging [[Kurdish people|Kurdish]] groups,<ref>{{citation|title=Amid Turkey's Purge, a Renewed Attack on Kurdish Culture|url=https://nyti.ms/2ukMV89|last=KINGSLEY|first=PATRICK |newspaper=The New York Times|year=2017}}</ref> including the dismissal of over 11,000 Kurdish teachers<ref name="BBCTeachers">{{cite news |title=Thousands of Turkish teachers suspended |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37312116 |date=8 September 2016}}</ref><ref name="dwTeachers">{{cite news |title=Turkey suspends 11,500 teachers as Erdogan declares largest operation against Kurds |url=https://www.dw.com/en/turkey-suspends-11500-teachers-as-erdogan-declares-largest-operation-against-kurds/a-19537662 |work=DW.COM |agency=Reuters}}</ref><ref name="IndependentTeachers">{{cite news |last=Payton |first=Matt |title=Turkey just suspended 11,000 teachers |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-suspends-11285-teachers-accused-of-links-to-pkk-kurdish-militants-a7233291.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-suspends-11285-teachers-accused-of-links-to-pkk-kurdish-militants-a7233291.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Independent |date=9 September 2016 |language=en}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="VoATeachers">{{cite news |title=Mass Suspensions of Teachers Stoke Concern in Turkey's Kurdish Region |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/teachers-suspensions-concern-turkey-kurdish-region/3570570.html |work=VOA |language=en}}</ref><ref name="UKHO2018">{{cite web |title=Country Policy and Information Note Turkey: Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/732019/Turkey_-_PKK_-_CPIN_-_v3.0__August_2018_.pdf |website=gov.uk |publisher=UK Government / Home office}}</ref><ref name="CNNTeachers">{{cite news |last1=Sariyuce |first1=Isil |last2=Narayan |first2=Chandrika |title=Turkey suspends over 11,000 teachers for suspected terror links |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/09/08/world/turkey-teachers-suspended/index.html |work=CNN}}</ref> and dozens of elected mayors<ref name="UKHO2018"/><ref name="NYT4/11/16">{{cite news|last1=Yeginsu|first1=Ceylan|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/05/world/europe/turkey-coup-crackdown-kurdish-politicians.html|title=Turkey's Post-Coup Crackdown Targets Kurdish Politicians|date=4 November 2016|work=The New York Times|last2=Timur|first2=Safak}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Turkish AK politician was shot dead in front of his Kurdish home |url=https://www.newsweek.com/turkeypkkcoup-498411 |work=Newsweek |agency=Reuters |date=14 September 2016 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Nordland |first=Rod |title=As Turkey Cracks Down, Kurdish Mayors Pack Bags for Jail |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/10/world/europe/turkey-kurdish-mayors-expect-arrests.html |work=The New York Times |date=10 December 2016 |quote=arresting at least 45 mayors of Kurdish towns beginning in late October}}</ref> and arrest of the co-chairs of the [[Peoples' Democratic Party (Turkey)|Peoples' Democratic Party]] (HDP)<ref name="GuardianLeaders">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/04/turkey-arrests-pro-kurdish-party-leaders-mps|title=Turkey arrests pro-Kurdish party leaders amid claims of internet shutdown|first=Kareem|last=Shaheen|date=4 November 2016|access-date=22 December 2016|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="APLeaders">{{cite web|url=https://www.apnews.com/635e87f1e5604e019ebfa955fb1ad060|title=Turkey HDP: Blast after pro-Kurdish leaders Demirtas and Yuksekdag detained|date=4 November 2016|access-date=22 December 2016|via=bbc.co.uk|archive-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019055827/https://www.apnews.com/635e87f1e5604e019ebfa955fb1ad060|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="NYTLeaders">{{cite news |last=Nordland |first=Rod |title=As Turkey Cracks Down, Kurdish Mayors Pack Bags for Jail |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/10/world/europe/turkey-kurdish-mayors-expect-arrests.html |work=The New York Times |date=10 December 2016}}</ref> for alleged links with the [[Kurdistan Workers' Party]] (PKK).<ref name="2016.09 antikurds"/> In August 2018, the Turkish Parliament approved a new "anti-terror" law to replace the state of emergency.<ref name="aljazeerapurges"/><ref name="japantimespurges"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Turkey approves new 'anti-terror' law to replace state of emergency |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/turkey-approves-new-anti-terror-law-to-replace-state-of-emergency/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=25 July 2018}}</ref>
== Background ==
In January 2014, during a [[2013 corruption scandal in Turkey|major corruption inquiry]] in Turkey, 96 judges and prosecutors, including the chief prosecutor of [[İzmir]], [[Huseyin Bas]], were transferred to new locations, ending the investigations. Bas was transferred to [[Samsun]]. Altogether 120 judges and prosecutors were reassigned.<ref name="ThReut_halt_investigation"/> At the time, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' described the events as "the biggest purge of the judiciary in [Turkey's] history".<ref name="Telegraph_biggest_purge"/><ref name="ThReut_purge_intensifies"/> From 2014 to mid-2016, repeated purges of civilian, military and judicial officials took place in Turkey, mainly aimed at followers of [[Fethullah Gülen]], a former colleague of the Turkish President [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]].<ref name="HRW_background"/>
== Sectors affected ==
During the first post-coup speech Erdoğan could address to the nation upon landing at [[Atatürk airport]], he said, "This uprising is a gift from God to us because this will be a reason to cleanse our army".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-17/coup-was-a-gift-from-god-says-erdogan-who-plans-a-new-turkey|title=Coup Was 'Gift From God' for Erdogan Planning a New Turkey|last=Champion|first=Marc|website=Bloomberg.com|date=17 July 2016|access-date=21 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/17/us-turkey-coup-attempt-fethullah-gulen|title=Turkey detains 6,000 over coup attempt as Erdoğan vows to 'clean state of virus'|last=Kingsley|first=Patrick|date=17 July 2016|website=the Guardian|access-date=21 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-primeminister-idUSKCN0ZV2HK|title=Turkey rounds up plot suspects after thwarting coup against Erdogan|date=17 July 2016|newspaper=Reuters|access-date=17 September 2016}}</ref>
An extensive purge of the Turkish civil service began with Erdoğan warning his opponents that "they will pay a heavy price for this."<ref name="NYT_countercoup"/> ''[[The New York Times]]'' described the purges as a "counter-coup" and expected Erdoğan to "become more vengeful and obsessed with control than ever, exploiting the crisis not just to punish mutinous soldiers but to further quash whatever dissent is left in Turkey".<ref name="NYT_countercoup"/>
On 18 July, U.S. Secretary of State [[John Kerry]] urged Turkish authorities to halt the increasing crackdown on its citizens, indicating that the crackdown was meant to "suppress dissent". French Foreign Minister and former Prime Minister [[Jean-Marc Ayrault]] voiced concern, warning against a "political system which turns away from democracy".<ref name="FT-purges">{{cite news |last1=Robinson |first1=Duncan |last2=Srivastava |first2=Mehul |date=18 July 2016 |title=US and EU leaders warn Turkey's Erdogan over post-coup crackdown |language=en |newspaper=[[Financial Times]] |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b82ef35a-4cc3-11e6-88c5-db83e98a590a#axzz4ElTMjZBX |url-access=subscription |access-date=18 July 2016}}</ref>
The [[United Nations]] have been reported as failing to condemn the coup and resulting violence, due to disagreement between Egypt and other Security Council members on the wording of a resolution in that direction.<ref name="abc.net.au">{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-17/egypt-blocks-un-statement-on-turkey-after-failed-coup-attempt/7635542|title=Egypt blocks UN statement on Turkey after failed coup attempt|date=16 July 2016|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|access-date=21 July 2016}}</ref>
=== Military ===
[[File:2364246 İsmet Yılmaz und Ursula von der Leyen im Januar 2016.jpg|thumb|General Bekir Ercan Van (far left), the commander of [[Incirlik Air Base]], was stated of complicity in the attempted coup.]]
Prime Minister [[Binali Yıldırım]] announced on 16 July 2016 that 2,839 soldiers of various ranks had been arrested.<ref name="ntvbast">{{cite web|title=Başbakan Yıldırım'dan açıklama: Kalkışma bastırıldı, 161 şehit var|url=http://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/basbakan-yildirimdan-aciklama-kalkisma-bastirildi-161-sehit-var,gWMYRw51bkulf-lxwxAbxg|publisher=NTV|access-date=16 July 2016}}</ref> Among those arrested were at least 34 generals or admirals.<ref>{{cite web|title=Darbe girişiminde 34 general ve amiral gözaltında|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/darbe-girisiminde-34-general-ve-amiral-gozaltinda-40149455|work=Hürriyet|date=16 July 2016 |access-date=16 July 2016}}</ref> A number of students of the [[Kuleli Military High School]], enough to fill five buses, were also arrested.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kuleli Askeri Lisesine düzenlenen operasyon tamamlandı|url=http://aa.com.tr/tr/turkiye/kuleli-askeri-lisesine-duzenlenen-operasyon-tamamlandi/608988|publisher=Anadolu Agency|access-date=16 July 2016}}</ref> By 18 July 2016, a total of 103 generals and admirals have been detained by Turkish authorities in connection with the coup.<ref name="alarabiya-generals">{{cite web |date=18 July 2016 |title=Turkey dismisses 9,000 officials after failed coup |url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2016/07/18/Erdogan-to-consider-reinstating-death-penalty-.html |publisher= [[Al Arabiya|Al Arabiya English]] |language=en |access-date=18 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="RTE-generals">{{cite web |date=18 July 2016 |title=Turkey urged to protect rule of law |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0718/803063-turkey-attempted-coup/ |publisher=[[RTÉ]] |language=en |access-date=18 July 2016}}</ref>
[[Yasemin Özata Çetinkaya]], the governor of [[Sinop Province]], was removed from her duty and her husband, a colonel in the Turkish army, arrested.<ref name="t24_140yargitay"/> Turkish military conducted a raid on the [[Turkish Air Force Academy]] in Istanbul as well.<ref name="BBC-airforceraid">{{cite web |date= 18 July 2016 |title=Turkey coup attempt: Police and officials purged |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36824045 |publisher=BBC |language=en |access-date=18 July 2016}}</ref>
Major General Cahit Bakir, who commanded Turkish forces under [[NATO]] in [[Afghanistan]], and Brigadier General Sener Topuc, responsible for education and aid in Afghanistan, have been detained by authorities in Dubai in connection with Turkey's failed coup.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-generals-idUSKCN1060PM |title= Two Afghan-based Turkish generals detained in Dubai after failed coup: CNN Turk |work= Reuters |date=26 July 2016}}</ref>
General Bekir Ercan Van, the commander of [[Incirlik Air Base]], which the U.S. uses to carry out [[Military intervention against ISIL|airstrikes against ISIL]], was arrested by Turkish authorities for his stated role in plotting the failed military coup. He sought [[Asylum in the United States|asylum from the United States]] but was denied.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/18/world/middleeast/turkey-coup-erdogan.html |title= Erdogan Triumphs After Coup Attempt, but Turkey's Fate Is Unclear |work= The New York Times |date=17 July 2016}}</ref>
=== Police and judiciary ===
[[File:Turkish Court of Cassation.jpg|240px|thumbnail|The building of the Turkish Court of Cassation in [[Ankara]].]]
On 16 July 2016, the [[Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors]] of Turkey (HSYK) removed 2,745 Turkish judges from duty and ordered their detention.<ref name="judiciary_purge_AP">{{cite news|last1=Frazer |first1=Susan |last2=Dominique |first2=Soguel |title=Turkey quashes coup; Erdogan vows 'heavy price' for plotters |date=16 July 2016 |publisher=[[Austin American-Statesman]]/[[Associated Press|AP]] |url=http://www.mystatesman.com/news/ap/international/turkish-president-says-hes-in-control-coup-falteri/nrzBT/ |access-date=16 July 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160724013846/http://www.mystatesman.com/news/ap/international/turkish-president-says-hes-in-control-coup-falteri/nrzBT/ |archive-date=24 July 2016 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name="dailysabah_purge">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2016/07/16/turkeys-top-judicial-board-hsyk-orders-detention-of-2745-gulen-linked-judges-over-coup-attempt|title=Turkey's top judicial board HSYK orders detention of 2,745 Gülen-linked judges over coup attempt|work=dailysabah.com|date=16 July 2016|access-date=16 July 2016}}</ref><ref name="Reuters_2700judges"/> Of these [[Judicial system of Turkey|judges]], 541 were in administrative judiciary and 2,204 were in criminal judiciary. This amounted to approximately 36% of all judges in Turkey at the time.<ref name="hsyk_admin_vs_crim">{{cite web|title=TÜRKİYE GENELİ HAKİM VE CUMHURİYET SAVCISI KADRO DURUMU |publisher=hsyk.gov.tr |url=http://www.hsyk.gov.tr/hakim-savci-istatistikleri.pdf |access-date=16 July 2016 |language=tr |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027064406/http://www.hsyk.gov.tr/hakim-savci-istatistikleri.pdf |archive-date=27 October 2011 }}</ref> Two judges from the [[Constitutional Court of Turkey]], [[Alparslan Altan]] and {{Interlanguage link|Erdal Tercan|tr}}, were detained by Turkish authorities for stated ties with the Gülen movement,<ref name="DailySabah-judges">{{cite news |date=16 July 2016 |title=Gülen-linked Constitutional Court members Altan, Tercan detained after failed coup attempt |url=http://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2016/07/16/gulen-linked-constitutional-court-members-altan-tercan-detained-after-failed-coup-attempt |newspaper=[[Daily Sabah]] |language=en |access-date=18 July 2016}}</ref> while 5 members of the HSYK had their membership revoked and 10 members of the [[Turkish Council of State]] were arrested on charges of being members of the parallel state.<ref name="HSYK_5_members_removed"/> Furthermore, arrest warrants were issued for 48 members of the Council of State and 140 members of the [[Court of Cassation (Turkey)|Court of Cassation]].
By 18 July 2016, the Turkish government had suspended 8,777 government officials across the country for stated links to the coup perpetrators. Among those suspended include 7,899 police officers, 614 gendarmerie officers, 47 district governors and 30 regional governors.<ref name="Hürriyet-policepurge">{{cite news |date=18 July 2016 |title=Interior Ministry suspends 8,777 officials in wake of Turkey's failed coup attempt |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/interior-ministry-suspends-8777-officials-in-wake-of-turkeys-failed-coup-attempt.aspx?pageID=238&nID=101737&NewsCatID=341 |newspaper=[[Hürriyet Daily News]] |language=en |access-date=18 July 2016}}</ref> {{As of|2016|07|19}}, 755 judges and prosecutors had been arrested in relation to the coup attempt.<ref name="DW_755_judiciary_arrests"/>
In January 2019, former chairman of Turkey's Judges and Prosecutors Association (YARSAV<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://turkeypurge.com/tag/yarsav|title=yarsav {{!}} Turkey Purge|language=en-US|access-date=3 July 2019}}</ref>), recipient of human rights awards and judge [[Murat Arslan]] have been condemned to 10 years in prison for "participation to a terrorist organisation". No violent action or call for violence was reported, the statement being based on an anonymous denunciation and the presence of [[ByLock (Application)|ByLock]] on his smartphone, an application he denies having installed on his phone.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2019/01/20/turquie-dix-ans-de-prison-pour-murat-arslan-laureat-2017-du-prix-vaclav-havel-du-conseil-de-l-europe_5412022_3210.html|title=Turquie : dix ans de prison pour Murat Arslan, lauréat 2017 du prix Vaclav-Havel|date=20 January 2019|access-date=3 July 2019|language=fr}}</ref>
=== Politics ===
[[File:Yüksekdağ and Demirtaş.jpg|thumb|Opposition politicians [[Selahattin Demirtas]] and [[Figen Yüksekdağ]] had been arrested on terrorism charges]]
Following the [[2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt|July 2016 attempt coup]] and first purges of the military, the Turkish government used the [[2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt#State of emergency|state of emergency]] to introduce amendments into [[Turkey municipalities law|Turkey's municipalities law]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/03/20/turkey-crackdown-kurdish-opposition|title=Turkey: Crackdown on Kurdish Opposition|date=2017-03-20|website=Human Rights Watch|language=en|access-date=2020-04-01}}</ref> Articles 45 and 57 were introduced, which allow to remove an elected mayor from his duty. Before only a final conviction was reason enough to remove a mayor.<ref name=":0"/> [[Hüseyin Avni Mutlu]], ex-governor of İstanbul, was dismissed on 19 July 2016.<ref name="cumhuriyet">{{cite news|title=Hüseyin Avni Mutlu görevden uzaklaştırıldı|url=http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/turkiye/570035/Huseyin_Avni_Mutlu_gorevden_uzaklastirildi.html|access-date=19 July 2016|work=Cumhuriyet|date=19 July 2016}}</ref> Deputy Mayor of Istanbul's [[Şişli|Şişli District]], [[Cemil Candaş]] ([[:tr:Cemil Candaş|tr]]), was shot in the head in his office by an unidentified assailant on 18 July 2016. Meanwhile, Turkish parliament was evacuated due to unidentified security concerns.<ref name="Independent-aftershock">{{cite news |last=Withnall |first=Andy |date=18 July 2016 |title=Turkey parliament 'evacuated due to imminent security threat' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-parliament-evacuated-coup-security-threat-ankara-erdogan-a7142546.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-parliament-evacuated-coup-security-threat-ankara-erdogan-a7142546.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper= [[The Independent]] |language=en |access-date=18 July 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
=== Elections and HDP harassment ===
In the [[2014 Turkish local elections]], the sister party of the HDP, the [[Peace and Democracy Party]] (BDP) won 97 district municipalities out of 1351 and 2 [[Metropolitan municipalities in Turkey|metropolitan municipalities]] out of 30. Starting in September 2016, the purges pushed upon the largely Kurdish political formations HDP and BDP. About a third of the HDP members, more than 11,000 people were detained, more than 3000 of them were formally arrested,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ahvalnews.com/hdp/one-three-hdp-members-detained-over-last-3-years|title=One in three HDP members detained over last 3 years|website=Ahval|date=10 March 2018|language=en|access-date=2020-04-02}}</ref> while also 94 democratically elected mayors have been expelled from their posts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/02/07/turkey-kurdish-mayors-removal-violates-voters-rights|title=Turkey: Kurdish Mayors' Removal Violates Voters' Rights|date=2020-02-07|website=Human Rights Watch|language=en|access-date=2020-04-02}}</ref> 2014's elected mayors were removed, detained, and subjected to politically motivated prosecutions.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/02/07/turkey-kurdish-mayors-removal-violates-voters-rights|title=Turkey: Kurdish Mayors' Removal Violates Voters' Rights|date=2020-02-07|website=[[Human Rights Watch]]|language=en|access-date=2020-04-01}}</ref> Elected mayors were replaced by government's appointees.<ref name=":0"/> Municipal councils were not formally dissolved, but were not gathered anymore to hold their democratic and managerial functions.<ref name=":1"/>
In October 2018, President Erdogan vowed to seize all municipalities the HDP could win in the [[2019 Turkish local elections]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/4dfe0b6b-5400-4fe1-981d-b0159cc67faf|title=Erdogan vows re-seizure of Kurdish municipalities should HDP win local elections|last=Khalidi|first=Ari|date=2018-10-07|website=[[Kurdistan24]]|access-date=2020-04-01}}</ref><ref name=":1"/> By March 2020, out of the 65 municipalities won by social-democrate HDP during the [[2019 Turkish local elections]], 46 municipalities (69%) had been seized by Turkish government.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/79eec75a-cb87-48c7-b790-ac4538ca735d|title=HDP official: Turkish gov. aims to seize all Kurdish municipalities amid COVID-19 crisis|last=Van Wilgenburg|first=Wladimir|date=2020-03-20|website=kurdistan24.net|access-date=2020-04-01}}</ref> The dismissal and municipal seizures are believed to be purely politically motivated, using ill-defined accusation of terrorism.<ref name=":2"/> Local human right activist comment that "terrorism in Turkey [is] so vague, broad, and ambiguous that anybody critical of the government can easily be criminalized as a terrorist"<ref name=":2"/> while dismissals, arrests, prosecutions, and condemnations are based on "trumped-up terrorism charges".<ref name=":1"/> Since 2014, over 90 municipalities have been seized.<ref name=":2"/> Dismissed mayors, part of the HDP movement who repeatedly stated opposition to PKK-TSK violences,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/hdp-co-chair-demirtas-calls-on-pkk-to-halt-violence-without-ifs-or-buts--87365|title=HDP co-chair Demirtaş calls on PKK to halt violence 'without ifs or buts' – Turkey News|website=Hürriyet Daily News|date=24 August 2015 |language=en|access-date=2020-04-01}}</ref> were later arrested on charges of "membership to a terror organization."<ref name=":2"/> These removals have been described as a violation of people's democratic vote.<ref name=":1"/>
The at the time HDP co-heads [[Selahattin Demirtaş]] and [[Figen Yüksekdağ]] were jailed and the prosecution was seeking up to 142 years for Demirtaş and 83 years for Yüksekdaĝ imprisonment. The main charge is the allegation of "managing a terrorist organization [(the HDP)]".<ref>{{cite news |title=Two pro-Kurdish lawmakers in Turkey arrested on terrorism charges:... |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-kurds-arrest-idUSKBN15E2IS |work=Reuters |date=30 January 2017 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Toksabay |first=Ece |title=Turkey's pro-Kurdish party leader refuses to attend court in... |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-kurds/turkeys-pro-kurdish-party-leader-refuses-to-attend-court-in-handcuffs-party-idUSKBN19S191 |work=Reuters |date=7 July 2017 |language=en}}</ref> As of May 2020, both politicians remain arrested.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Court rules to continue to keep Yüksekdağ and Demirtaş in jail|url=https://anfenglish.com/news/court-rules-to-continue-to-keep-yueksekdag-and-demirtas-in-jail-44126|website=ANF News|language=en|access-date=2020-05-31}}</ref>
=== Civil service ===
Following a series of arrests and purges throughout the government, Prime Minister Yıldırım announced on 18 July 2016 that annual leave for all civil servants was suspended, and all those on leave were to return to work. Over three million civil servants were affected. In addition, public sector employees were banned from leaving the country.<ref name="Independent-Suspension">{{cite news | last=Osborne |first=Samuel |date=18 July 2016 | title=Turkey coup: PM suspends annual leave for over three million civil servants |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-coup-pm-suspends-annual-leave-for-over-three-million-civil-servants-a7142921.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-coup-pm-suspends-annual-leave-for-over-three-million-civil-servants-a7142921.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |language=en |access-date=18 July 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
By the evening of 19 July 2016, the number of public sector employees suspended had reached 49,321. In the [[Ministry of Finance (Turkey)|Ministry of Finance]], more than 1500 employees were suspended. In the Prime Ministry, 257 employees, including six advisers, were suspended. The [[Presidency of Religious Affairs]] suspended 492 employees, among them three provincial [[mufti]]s. The numbers of suspended personnel in the [[National Intelligence Organization (Turkey)|National Intelligence Organization]] and [[Ministry of Family and Social Policy (Turkey)|Ministry of Family and Social Policy]] were 100 and 393 respectively.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cumhuriyet tarihinin en büyük operasyonu; kamuda 49 bin 321 kişi görevden alındı|url=http://t24.com.tr/haber/cumhuriyet-tarihinin-en-buyuk-operasyonu-kamuda-49-bin-321-kisi-gorevden-alindi,350825|publisher=T24|access-date=19 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-19/turkey-extends-purge-to-universities-asking-all-deans-to-go | title=Turkey Extends Purge to Universities, Asking All Deans to Go | publisher=Bloomberg | date=19 July 2016 | access-date=19 July 2016 | last=Finkel | first=Isobel| newspaper=Bloomberg.com }}</ref>
On 20 July 2016, the Youth and Sports Minister [[Akif Çağatay Kılıç]] announced that 245 personnel within his ministry had been laid off. The Energy Ministry reports 300 employees were let go, and the Customs Ministry indicated 184 employees were dismissed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Turkish parliament dismisses eight executives as crackdown on Gülenists continues| date=20 July 2016 |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-parliament-dismisses-eight-executives-as-crackdown-on-gulenists-continues.aspx?pageID=238&nID=101855&NewsCatID=341|access-date=20 July 2016|language=tr}}</ref>
=== Education ===
{{main|List of educational institutions shut down in the 2016 Turkish purges}}
====Immediate purge====
By far the greatest purge was in the [[Ministry of National Education (Turkey)|Ministry of National Education]], where 15,200 education ministry officials were suspended.<ref name="BBCTeachers"/> The licenses of 21,000 teachers in the private sector were also cancelled.<ref name="BBCTeachers"/> The [[Council of Higher Education (Turkey)|Council of Higher Education]] asked all [[Dean (education)|dean]]s of state and private universities, numbering 1577, to resign. 626 educational institutions, mostly private, were shut down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.trust.org/item/20160720165246-8v9ml/|title=Turkey shuts 626 educational institutions -Turkish official|publisher= Thomson Reuters Foundation|website= news.trust.org|date= 20 July 2016| location= Istanbul| access-date=20 July 2016}}</ref> For example, in [[Burdur]], one school, one [[cram school]] and four student hostels were shut down on 20 July.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/burdurda-bir-ozel-okul-bir-dershane-ile-4-pansiyon-kapatildi|title=Burdur'da FETÖ/PDY'ye yakınlığıyla bilinen bir özel okul, 4 pansiyon ve bir dershane mühürlendi |publisher=[[CNN Türk]]|language=tr|access-date=20 July 2016}}</ref> In addition, a travel ban was placed on academics, preventing them from leaving the country.<ref>{{Cite news| url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/20/erdogan-bans-academics-from-travel-holds-first-post-coup-security-meeting-ankara-turkey| title= Erdoğan declares three-month state of emergency in Turkey |first= Kareem| last= Shaheen|newspaper=The Guardian| access-date= 20 July 2016|date=20 July 2016}}</ref>
On 23 July 2016, Turkish authorities shut down 1,043 private schools, 1,229 charities and foundations, 19 trade unions, 15 universities and 35 medical institutions in his first emergency decree under the newly adopted [[state of emergency|emergency legislation]].<ref name=auto>{{cite news |first1= Gareth |last1= Jones |first2= Ercan |last2= Gurses |title=Turkey's Erdogan shuts schools, charities in first state of emergency decree |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-emergency-idUSKCN1030BC |date=23 July 2016 |access-date=23 July 2016}}</ref>
====Forced cultural changes====
Academics have reported pre-2016 coup's changes in academic leadership, and sharp growing pressure after the [[2013 Gezi park protests]] and 2016 coup.<ref name="nyt20190724"/> Dean and academic management have pressured professors and students to align with conservative values and teachings.<ref name="nyt20190724"/> Activities, associations and student clubs have been closed under similar pressure. Conservative students are empowered to denounce non-conservative activities.<ref name="nyt20190724"/> Academic grants and tenures are reported to be filtered according to political affiliations and connections.<ref name="nyt20190724"/> Teachers have reported a forced change in political, academic, and critical culture, with firing and exclusion of traditional academic profiles, with worries about the long-term effect of such change and academic purge on the expertise and tone of both Turkey's researches and governmental statutes, culture and policies.<ref name="nyt20190724"/> While private university are technically allowed to hire purged academics, many reports private university been scared to hire them, increasing the economic exclusion.<ref name="nyt20190724"/> Academics have been subjects to travel bans.<ref name="nyt20190724"/>
====Petitioners====
About one thousand scholars and human right experts who had earlier petitioned for the end of military operations in South East Turkey, Afrin and Syria have faced systematic punitive consequences via public agencies, including interrogations, judicial prosecutions, firing from jobs, arrests, trials and condemnations for "terrorist propaganda".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/turkey-sends-academics-to-prison-for-criticism-of-the-bloody-war-against-kurds|title=Turkey sends academics to prison for criticism of the bloody war against Kurds|date=26 December 2018|website=Washington Examiner|language=en|access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref> The signatories have been subject to 2000 routine judicial hearings with usual 15 months suspended jail sentence, with no acquittal reported and about 30 actual imprisonments.<ref name="nyt20190724">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/24/magazine/the-era-of-people-like-you-is-over-how-turkey-purged-its-intellectuals.html|title = 'The Era of People Like You is Over': How Turkey Purged its Intellectuals|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 24 July 2019|last1 = Hansen|first1 = Suzy}}</ref>
=== Media ===
{{main|Turkey's media purge after the failed July 2016 coup d'état|List of media outlets shut down in the 2016 Turkish purges}}
{{see also|Media freedom in Turkey}}
[[File:Turkish journalists protesting imprisonment of their colleagues in 2016.jpg|thumb|Turkish journalists protesting imprisonment of their colleagues on [[Human Rights Day]], 10 December 2016]]
The licenses of 24 radio and television channels and the press cards of 34 journalists reported of being linked to Gülen were revoked.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://t24.com.tr/haber/34-gazetecinin-basin-karti-iptal-edildi,350812|title=34 gazetecinin basın kartı iptal edildi|trans-title= 34 journalists' press cards were revoked| website= T24.com.tr | language= tr| access-date=19 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36838347 | title=Turkey coup: Purge widens to education sector | publisher=BBC | date=19 July 2016 | access-date=19 July 2016 | last=Williams | first=Nathan}}</ref> Two people were arrested for praising the coup attempt and [[Article 299 (Turkish Penal Code)|insulting the Turkish President]] Erdoğan on [[social media]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/two-arrested-in-turkey-for-praising-failed-coup-attempt-on-social-media-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=101858&NewsCatID=341|work=Hürriyet Daily News| title= Two arrested in Turkey for praising failed coup attempt on social media| last1= Karaman | last2= Zonguldak |date= 20 July 2016| access-date=20 July 2016}}</ref> On 25 July, [[Nazlı Ilıcak]] was taken into custody.<ref>{{cite web| title= Nazlı Ilıcak için gözaltı kararı| trans-title= Detention Order for Nazli Ilıcak| url=http://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/nazli-ilicak-icin-gozalti-karari|publisher=[[CNN Türk]]|access-date=25 July 2016|language=tr}}</ref>
On 27 July 2016, Erdoğan shut down 16 television channels, 23 radio stations, 45 daily newspapers, 15 magazines and 29 publishing houses in another emergency decree under the newly adopted [[state of emergency|emergency legislation]]. The closed outlets include Gülen-affiliated [[Cihan News Agency]], [[Samanyolu TV]] and the previously leading newspaper ''[[Zaman (newspaper)|Zaman]]'' (including its English-language version ''[[Today's Zaman]]''),<ref>{{cite news | first1= Gareth| last1= Jones | first2= Ercan |last2= Gurses |title=Turkey shuts scores of media outlets, sacks generals |newspaper= [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/07/turkey-close-army-high-schools-failed-coup-160727165730365.html |date=28 July 2016 |access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref> but also the opposition daily newspaper ''[[Taraf]]'' which was known to be in close relations with the Gulen Movement.<ref name="guardian">{{cite news |title=Turkish generals resign as government prepares to overhaul armed forces |agency= AFP |work= [[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/28/turkey-purges-military-leaders-in-wake-of-failed-coup |date=28 July 2016 |access-date=28 July 2016}}</ref>
In late October 2015, Turkish authorities shut down 15 media outlets, including one of the world's only women's news agencies, and detained the editor-in-chief of the prominent secularist Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet, "on accusations that they committed crimes on behalf of Kurdish militants and a network linked to the US-based cleric Fethullah Gülen".<ref>{{cite web|title=Turkey shuts 15 media outlets and arrests opposition editor|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/30/turkey-shuts-media-outlets-terrorist-links-civil-servants-press-freedom|website=The Guardian|date=31 October 2016|access-date=31 October 2016}}</ref>
Turkey has imprisoned more than 160 journalists,<ref name="theguardian">"[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/15/recep-tayyip-erdogan-theresa-may-uk-state-visit-jailed-journalists-terrorists Erdoğan ends UK state visit by calling jailed journalists 'terrorists']". ''The Guardian.'' 15 May 2018.</ref> making it the world's biggest jailer of journalists.<ref>"[https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/13/world/europe/journalists-jailed-committee-to-protect-journalists.html Number of Jailed Journalists Hits Record High, Advocacy Group Says]". ''The New York Times.'' 13 December 2017.</ref> In May 2018, at a press conference with British PM [[Theresa May]], Turkish President Erdoğan called Turkey's jailed journalists "terrorists".<ref name="theguardian"/>
===Traveling===
{{See also|Turkish passport}}
Government authorities had revoked almost 11,000 passports by 22 July;{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} by 30 July, more than 50,000 passports were cancelled.<ref>{{cite news|last= Dearden |first=Lizzie|title=Turkey coup attempt: Government cancels 50,000 passports as global concern grows over crackdown|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-coup-attempt-erdogan-news-latest-government-cancels-50000-passports-amid-international-a7163961.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-coup-attempt-erdogan-news-latest-government-cancels-50000-passports-amid-international-a7163961.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=31 July 2016| work= The Independent|date=31 July 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
==Extradition==
In August 2016 Turkish President Erdoğan gave the United States an ultimatum, demanding the [[extradition]] of Fethullah Gülen, the cleric said to be behind the failed 15 July coup attempt.<ref>{{cite news|title=Turkey's Erdogan to US: Hand over exiled cleric Gulen|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/11/politics/turkey-us-fethullah-gulen-ultimatum/|publisher=CNN|date=11 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Turkey officials to demand extradition of Fethullah Gülen from US|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/28/turkey-fethullah-gulen-extradition-coup-attempt|access-date=13 August 2016|work=theguardian.com}}</ref> Turkey demanded that [[Greece]] extradite eight Turkish soldiers who had fled there after the coup.<ref>{{cite news|title=Turkey ups pressure on Greece to extradite soldiers who fled there after failed coup|url=http://www.euronews.com/2016/07/19/turkey-ups-pressure-on-greece-to-extradite-soldiers-who-fled-there-after-failed|access-date=13 August 2016|publisher=euronews.com}}</ref> On 11 August 2016, [[Bulgaria]] extradited Abdullah Büyük, a Turkish businessman being linked with the Gülen movement.<ref>{{cite news|title=Controversy continues over Bulgaria's deportation of Büyük to Turkey|url=http://sofiaglobe.com/2016/08/12/controversy-continues-over-bulgarias-deportation-of-buyuk-to-turkey/|publisher=Sofia Globe|date=12 August 2016}}</ref>
== Purges by numbers ==
[[File:U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, center left, introduces himself to Turkish military leaders Sept 140908-D-NI589-553.jpg|thumb|U.S. Secretary of Defense [[Chuck Hagel]] shakes hands in 2014 with General Erdal Öztürk, later arrested in connection with the failed coup.|alt=Mr Hagel, in a civilian suit, shakes hands with General Öztürk, in uniform.]]
=== Initial purges ===
The bulk of the purges happened in the 10 days following the coup. The government releasing data documenting the issue :
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan="2"|Header text !! Suspended !! Arrested !! Notes !! Reference/Date
|-
|colspan="2"|[[Turkish Armed Forces]] || 1,684 || 96 || ||rowspan="4"| [http://haber.star.com.tr/guncel/tskdan-kimler-ihrac-edildi---tskdan-ihrac-edilen-amiral-subay-ve-astsubay-listesi/haber-1128941 2016-07-27]<br/>[http://www.birgun.net/haber-detay/tsk-deki-general-ve-amirallerin-3-te-biri-tutuklandi-120721.html 2016-07-20]
|-
| || [[Turkish Land Forces]] || 1,069 || N/A || 87 generals
|-
| || [[Turkish Naval Forces]] || 154 || N/A || 32 admirals
|-
| || [[Turkish Air Force]] || 461 || N/A || 30 generals
|-
|colspan="2"| [[Ministry of the Interior (Turkey)|Ministry of the Interior]] || 8,777 || N/A || || [http://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/icislerinde-operasyon-8777-polis-aciga-alindi 2016-07-18]
|-
|colspan="2"| [[Ministry of Health (Turkey)|Ministry of Health]] || 5,581 || N/A || 115 managers, 1504 doctors || [http://www.milliyet.com.tr/saglik-bakanligi-ndan-son-dakika-gundem-2285099/ 2016-07-28]
|-
|colspan="2"| [[Ministry of Culture and Tourism (Turkey)|Ministry of Culture and Tourism]] || 110 || N/A || ||  [http://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/kultur-ve-turizm-bakanliginda-110-kisi-aciga-alindi 2016-07-26]
|-
|colspan="2"| [[Ministry of National Education (Turkey)|Ministry of National Education]] || 15,200 || N/A || || [http://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/mebde-15-bin-200-personel-aciga-alindi-261826.html 2016-07-19]
|-
|colspan="2"| [[Ministry of National Education (Turkey)|MNE]] licensed Education institutions || 21,000 || N/A || ||
|-
|colspan="2"| [[Ministry of Development (Turkey)|Ministry of Development]] || 82 || N/A || || [http://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/iste-darbe-sorusturmasinda-kamuda-aciga-alinanlarin-kurum-kurum-listesi 2016-07-25]
|-
|colspan="2"| [[Ministry of Economy (Turkey)|Ministry of Economy]] || 15 || N/A || || [http://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/iste-darbe-sorusturmasinda-kamuda-aciga-alinanlarin-kurum-kurum-listesi 2016-07-25]
|-
|colspan="2"| [[Ministry of Forest and Water Management (Turkey)|Ministry of Forest and Water Management]] || 197 || N/A || || [http://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/iste-darbe-sorusturmasinda-kamuda-aciga-alinanlarin-kurum-kurum-listesi 2016-07-25]
|-
|colspan="2"| [[Ministry of Transport and Communication (Turkey)|Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications]] || 529 || N/A || || [http://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/iste-darbe-sorusturmasinda-kamuda-aciga-alinanlarin-kurum-kurum-listesi 2016-07-25]
|-
|colspan="2"| [[Ministry of Industry and Commerce (Turkey)|Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology]] || 560 || N/A || || [http://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/iste-darbe-sorusturmasinda-kamuda-aciga-alinanlarin-kurum-kurum-listesi 2016-07-25]
|-
|colspan="2"| [[Ministry of Family and Social Policy (Turkey)|Ministry of Family and Social Policy]] || 599 || N/A || || [http://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/iste-darbe-sorusturmasinda-kamuda-aciga-alinanlarin-kurum-kurum-listesi 2016-07-25]
|-
|colspan="2"| [[Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning (Turkey)|Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning]] || 70 || N/A || || [http://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/iste-darbe-sorusturmasinda-kamuda-aciga-alinanlarin-kurum-kurum-listesi 2016-07-25]
|-
|colspan="2"| Turkish Universities || 5,342 || N/A || || [http://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-turkiye-37060172 2016-08-12]
|-
|colspan="2"| İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality || 768 || N/A || || [http://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/ibbde-768-kisinin-is-akdi-feshedildi 2016-07-29]
|-
|colspan="2"| [[Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors]] || 648 || N/A || || [http://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/hsyk-648-savciyi-gorevden-uzaklastirdi 2016-08-10]
|-
!colspan="2"| Totals || 81,494 || 20,355 || || [http://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/basbakan-yildirim-cumhurbaskaniyla-beraber-olum-pahasina-direnme-karari-aldik 2016-08-13]<br/>[http://www.bbc.com/turkce/37098658 2016-08-17]
|}
=== Later purges, mass suspensions and mass arrests ===
==== 2016 ====
On 26 July 2016, [[President of the European Commission|European Commission President]] [[Jean-Claude Juncker]] announced that [[Accession of Turkey to the European Union|Turkey's EU membership]] process would come to an end if the death penalty was returned in Turkey.<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/dunya/abden-turkiyeye-idam-cezasi-geri-gelirse-uyelik-surecini-durdururuz-40168261 |title=AB'den Türkiye'ye: İdam cezası geri gelirse...|language=tr|date = July 26, 2016 |work =Hürriyet }}</ref>
On 4 and 5 August 2016, the Istanbul and İzmir 1st Criminal Court of Peace issued an arrest warrant for U.S.-based cleric [[Fethullah Gülen]].<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/fethullah-gulen-icin-yakalama-karari,pGnTUK9SE0K4yISwqN6s7w |title=Fethullah Gülen için yakalama kararı|language=tr|date = August 4, 2016 |work =NTV }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.birgun.net/haber/fetullah-gulen-e-bir-yakalama-karari-daha-123051 |title=Fetullah Gülen'e bir yakalama kararı daha|language=tr|date = August 5, 2016 |work =Birgün }}</ref>
On 17 August 2016, the government dismissed 2,300 more officers from the police force, 136 military officers and 196 employees from the information technology authority.<ref>{{citation|title=Turkey to release 38,000 from jail; frees space for plotters|url=http://wpo.st/bBms1|year=2016|first=Suzan|last=Fraser|publisher=AP}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=Seraphim System |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
On 18 August 2016, arrest warrants were issued for 187 suspects, including CEOs of leading companies in Turkey, with prosecutors also ordering the seizure of their assets.<ref>"[http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-18/turkey-launches-mass-raids-against-27gulen-linked27-businesses/7764694 Turkey launches mass raids against 'Gulen-linked' businesses]", [[ABC (Australian TV channel)|ABC]], 18 August 2016. Accessed 24 August 2016.</ref>
On 2 September 2016, Turkey announced a purge of about 11,500 teachers with stated links to PKK.<ref name=BBCTeachers/><ref name=dwTeachers/><ref name=IndependentTeachers/><ref name=VoATeachers/><ref name=UKHO2018/><ref name=CNNTeachers/><ref name="NYT4/11/16"/> The move was denounced by Kurdish and Turkish opposition parties for lacking due process and evidences. An anonymous former Turkish diplomat said the move sharply weakened the pacifist wing of Kurdish voices, pushing the Kurdish movement toward more radical means.<ref name="2016.09 antikurds">{{citation|title=Kurds become new target of Ankara's post-coup purges |year=2016|url=http://almon.co/2qmj}}</ref>
On 12 September 2016, Turkey removed two dozen elected mayors, members of the opposition [[Peoples' Democratic Party (Turkey)|Peoples' Democratic Party]] (HDP), for stated links to Kurdish militants.<ref name=UKHO2018/><ref name="NYT4/11/16"/><ref name="ReutersMayors">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-kurds-idUSKCN11H065|title=Turkey removes two dozen elected mayors in Kurdish militant crackdown|date=12 September 2016|work=Reuters|language=en}}</ref><ref name="BBCMayors">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37333041|title=Clashes as Turkey removes 28 mayors|date=11 September 2016|work=BBC}}</ref>
[[File:Can Dündar & Erdem Gül.jpg|thumb|Turkish journalists [[Can Dündar]] and [[Erdem Gül]] were arrested facing sentences up to life imprisonment.]]
On 4 October 2016, Turkish authorities suspend nearly 12,800 more police officers from duty over their suspected links with U.S.-based cleric [[Fethullah Gulen]].<ref name="Purges October Polices">{{citation |title=Turkey suspends 13,000 police officers, shuts down TV station |date=4 October 2016 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-police-idUSKCN12408Z |publisher=Reuters |access-date=18 October 2017|last=Pamuk |first=Tuvan Gumrukcu }}</ref>
On 29 October 2016, by decree, Turkey dismissed 10,131 more civil servants, while about 15 more media outlets were closed for stated ties to terrorist organizations and U.S.-based cleric [[Fethullah Gülen]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/europe/article/2016/10/30/purges-en-turquie-plus-de-10-000-fonctionnaires-supplementaires-limoges_5022680_3214.html|title=Purges en Turquie : plus de 10 000 fonctionnaires supplémentaires limogés|newspaper=Le Monde.fr|date=30 October 2016|access-date=22 December 2016|via=Le Monde}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-dismissals-idUSKBN12U04L|title=Turkey sacks 10,000 more civil servants, shuts media in latest crackdown|date=30 October 2016|access-date=22 December 2016|newspaper=Reuters|last=Pamuk|first=Humeyra}}</ref>
In early November 2016, security forces began mass arrests of opposition [[Peoples' Democratic Party (Turkey)|Peoples' Democratic Party]] (HDP) MPs, including co-leaders [[Selahattin Demirtaş]] and [[Figen Yüksekdağ]].<ref name=GuardianLeaders/><ref name=APLeaders/><ref name=NYTLeaders/> Internet and social web services were blocked across southeastern Turkey.<ref name=GuardianLeaders/><ref name=APLeaders/> Out of 59 HDP's MPs, 15 were researched, 12 MPs were detained, 2 MPs were travelling abroad, and one not located.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/11/04/world/europe/ap-eu-turkey-explosion.html|title=US, EU Question Turkey's Detention of Pro-Kurdish Lawmakers|date=4 November 2016|agency=Associated Press|access-date=22 December 2016|via=The New York Times}}</ref>
On 22 November 2016, a decree announced 15,726 dismissals (security forces: 7,600, ministry of interior: 2,700, education: 1,200).<ref name="lemonde161121"/>
People were affected for being "related, belonging to or in contact with terror organizations and structures that are considered by the National Security Council as acting against national security."<ref name="nyt161122"/> Passports of these affected people were canceled.<ref name="nyt161122"/><br/>
With this decree 550 associations, 9 medias, and 19 private medical structures have been closed.<ref name="lemonde161121">{{cite news|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2016/11/22/plus-de-15-000-fonctionnaires-supplementaires-limoges-en-turquie_5035887_3210.html|title=Plus de 15 000 fonctionnaires supplémentaires limogés en Turquie|newspaper=Le Monde.fr|date=22 November 2016|access-date=22 December 2016|via=Le Monde}}</ref>
The financial assets and properties of those organizations were to be seized by the Turkish Treasury.<ref name="nyt161122">{{citation|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/22/world/europe/turkey-erdogan-coup-fired.html|title=15,000 More Public Workers Are Fired in Turkey Crackdown|first1=Rod|last1=Nordland|first2=Safak|last2=Timur|newspaper=The New York Times|date=22 November 2016}}</ref>
On 24 November 2016, the [[European Parliament]] unanimously accepted the call for a temporary freeze of the [[Accession of Turkey to the European Union|full membership negotiations between the EU and Turkey]].<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/24/world/europe/european-parliament-turkey-eu-membership.html |title = European Parliament Votes to Suspend Talks With Turkey on EU Membership|language=en|date = November 24, 2016 |work = The New York Times }}</ref>
On 12 December 2016, in reaction to [[December 2016 Istanbul bombings|prior Istanbul double bombing]] and [[Kurdistan Freedom Falcons]] (TAK) states, 118 [[Peoples' Democratic Party (Turkey)|HDP]] officials and supporters were arrested.<ref>{{citation |last1=Butler |first1=Daren |title=Turkey detains more than 100 in raids against pro-Kurdish party: state media |date=13 December 2016 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-kurds-idUSKBN1410FH |access-date=7 December 2023 |name-list-style=and |last2=Gumrukcu |first2=Tuvan |work=Reuters}}</ref>
On 21 December 2016, Turkey suspended another 1,980 teachers and school employees for stated connections to the coup attempt.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-education-idUSKBN14A1RS|title=Turkey suspends another 2,000 education staff for alleged links to failed coup|date=21 December 2016|newspaper=Reuters}}</ref>
On 25 December 2016, [[Turkey]] probes around 10,000 [[social media]] users for reportedly insulting government officials or supporting "[[terrorism|terror]]-related activity."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38427933|title=Turkey targets 10,000 social media users in 'terror' probe|work=BBC News|date=24 December 2016}}</ref>
==== 2017 ====
On 7 January 2017, and via three decrees, 8,390 more civil servants were dismissed (2,687 police officers, 1,699 civil servants from the justice ministry, 838 health officials, and hundreds others from other ministries, 631 academics, 8 members of the Council of State).<ref>{{citation|title=Turkey dismisses over 8,000 in new wave of post-coup purges|first=Stuart|last=Williams|publisher=AFP|date=7 January 2017}}</ref>
In early February 2017, the [[Cabinet of Turkey|Turkish government]] dismissed more than 4,400 public servants from their jobs,<ref name="purge 2017.02">{{citation|title=Turkey dismisses 4,400 public servants in latest post-coup attempt purge|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/08/turkey-dismisses-4400-public-servants-erdogan-trump-phone-call|work=The Guardian|date=8 February 2017}}</ref> including over 300 university teachers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2017/02/turkey-academics-purges-collapse-of-academia.html|title=The collapse of Turkish academia|last=Hurtas|first=Sibel|date=13 February 2017|newspaper=Al-Monitor (Turkey Pulse)|access-date=17 February 2017}}</ref>
On 14 February 2017, the Turkish government arrested 834 people with stated links with PKK. The mass arrest has been linked to the constitutional referendum, to which most Kurdish factions are opposed.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/02/turkey-hundreds-detained-alleged-links-pkk-170214162131411.html|title=Turkey: Hundreds detained over alleged links to PKK|date=14 February 2017}}</ref>
After the [[Turkish constitutional referendum, 2017|April 16 referendum]], 38 activists denouncing irregularities were detained.<ref name="nyt2017-04-26"/>
On 26 April 2017, 1009 police officers were reported of being a secret Gulenist network within the Turkish police force, and were detained.<ref name="nyt2017-04-26">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/26/world/europe/turkey-1000-coup-gulen.html|title=Over 1,000 People Are Detained in Raids in Turkey|last=Kingsley|first=Patrick|date=26 April 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=24 July 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> 9,100 policemen have been suspended<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lemonde.fr/proche-orient/article/2017/04/26/purges-en-turquie-plus-de-9-000-policiers-suspendus_5118231_3218.html |title=Purges en Turquie : plus de 9 000 policiers suspendus |newspaper=Le Monde.fr |date=26 April 2017 |publisher=Lemonde.fr |access-date=18 October 2017}}</ref>
On 29 April 2017, [[2017 block of Wikipedia in Turkey|Turkey blocked Wikipedia]] and dismissed 3,974 more civil servants.<ref name="Reuters0430"/> The NYT qualified the move as "an expand[ing] crackdown on dissent and free expression".<ref>{{citation|title=Turkey Purges 4,000 More Officials, and Blocks Wikipedia|url=https://nyti.ms/2qlonKR|first=Patrick|last=Kingsley|newspaper=The New York Times|date=30 April 2017}}</ref>
On 5 June, the [[Ministry of the Interior (Turkey)|Turkish interior ministry]] announces that 130 people, living outside the country and suspected of militant links, will lose their [[Turkish nationality law|citizenship]] unless they return to Turkey within three months and meet government standards. Named suspects include U.S.-based cleric [[Fethullah Gülen]], and [[Peoples' Democratic Party (Turkey)|Peoples' Democratic Party]] leaders [[Faysal Sarıyıldız]], [[Tuğba Hezer Öztürk]], and {{Interlanguage link|Özdal Üçer|tr}}.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-citizenship-idUSKBN18W17D|title=Turkey plans to strip 'fugitives' of citizenship, including Gulen: ministry|date=2017-06-05|work=Reuters|access-date=2020-03-20|language=en}}</ref>
15 June 2017, UN [[Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals]] judge [[Aydin Sedaf Akay]] was sentenced to 7½ years on charges of "membership in [to the Gulen movement, itself] a terrorist organization", despite Mr. Akay having [[diplomatic immunity]] due to his position at the UN MICT.<ref>{{cite news|title=Turkey sentences U.N. war crimes judge on 'terrorism' charges: Hague|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-coup-un-judge-idUSKBN1960XO?il=0|access-date=16 June 2017|work=Reuters|date=15 June 2017}}</ref>
On 6 July 2017, the [[European Parliament]] unanimously accepted the call for the suspension of [[Accession of Turkey to the European Union|full membership negotiations between the EU and Turkey]].<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.dw.com/tr/apden-t%C3%BCrkiye-ile-m%C3%BCzakerelerin-ask%C4%B1ya-al%C4%B1nmas%C4%B1na-onay/a-39572885 |title =AP: Türkiye ile müzakereler askıya alınsın |language=tr|date = July 6, 2017 |work =DW Türkçe }}</ref>
On 15 July, 7,400 more police were dismissed.<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-coup-attempt-recep-tayyip-erdogan-one-year-anniversary-7400-dismissed-gulen-purge-latest-a7842606.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-coup-attempt-recep-tayyip-erdogan-one-year-anniversary-7400-dismissed-gulen-purge-latest-a7842606.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Turkey dismisses 7,400 more police, soldiers and public sector workers a year after failed coup|first=Lizzie|last=Dearden|date=15 July 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
On 24 December 2017, a decree announce the dismissal of 2,700 public officers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AFP/status/944879071984369664|title=Turkey dismisses over 2,700 in post-coup purges u.afp.com/4tMN|first=AFP news|last=agency}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20171224-turkey-sacks-2700-workers-public-institutions-alleged-terror-erdogan-purge|title=Turkey sacks 2,700 public workers over alleged terror links in latest purge|date=24 December 2017|website=France 24|language=en|access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref>
==== 2018 ====
[[File:Enes Kanter Western Conference Finals 2019.jpg|thumb|right|The purges have gotten attention in the United States due to the Turkish government's attempts to arrest and extradite [[NBA]] player [[Enes Kanter]], who is both a Gulenist and an outspoken critic of Erdoğan. Kanter did not attend team and league functions held abroad as he feared for his safety if he ever left the United States.]]
Turkey detained over 800 social media users and nearly 100 politicians and journalists who opposed the [[Operation Olive Branch|Turkish invasion]] of the [[Syrian Kurds|Kurdish]]-controlled enclave of [[Afrin, Syria|Afrin]].<ref>{{cite news |title=How the World is betraying the Kurds |url=https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/opinion/how-the-world-is-betraying-the-kurds/23/05/ |work=[[The London Economic]] |date=23 May 2018}}</ref>
On 8 July 2018, right before Erdogan new presidency with enlarged executive powers and the promised end of the state of emergency, 18,632 public officiers were dismissed by decree.<ref name="guardian20180708">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/08/turkey-fires-thousands-of-public-servants-in-anti-terror-purge|title=Turkey fires thousands of state employees in anti-terrorism purge|agency=Associated Press|date=8 July 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=24 July 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Among them, 9,000-plus are police officers, 6,000-plus are members of the Turkish military,<ref name="guardian20180708"/> and over 1,000 are from judiciary,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marianne.net/monde/la-purge-d-erdogan-continue-en-turquie-plus-de-18-000-fonctionnaires-limoges|title=La purge d'Erdogan continue en Turquie : plus de 18 000 fonctionnaires limogés|date=8 July 2018|website=Marianne|language=fr|access-date=3 July 2019}}</ref> about 650 are teachers and about 200 academics.<ref name="bloomberg20180708">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-08/turkey-purges-more-than-18-000-civil-servants-in-latest-decree|title=Turkey Purges More Than 18,600 Civil Servants in 11th-Hour Decree|date=23 July 2019|access-date=24 July 2019|language=en}}</ref> Three newspapers, one TV channel and 12 associations were also shut down.<ref name="bloomberg20180708"/>
On 25 July 2018, Turkey passed new [[Anti-terrorism legislation|anti-terrorism bill]] to replace emergency rule.<ref name="aljazeerapurges">{{cite news |title=Turkey parliament approves new anti-terror law |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/07/turkey-parliament-approves-anti-terror-law-180725152308059.html |work=Al-Jazeera |date=25 July 2018}}</ref> According to the [[Human Rights Watch]], the new law "will allow authorities under the presidency, for the next three years, to dismiss judges and all other public officials arbitrarily. It also would allow the authorities to restrict movement within Turkey, ban public assemblies, and allow police to hold some suspects for up to 12 days without charge and repeatedly detain them in the same investigation."<ref>{{cite news |title=Turkey: Normalizing the State of Emergency |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/07/20/turkey-normalizing-state-emergency |work=Human Rights Watch |date=20 July 2018}}</ref> [[Republican People's Party|CHP]] parliamentary group leader [[Özgür Özel]] said that "With this bill, with the measures in this text, the state of emergency will not be extended for three months but for three years. They make it look like they are lifting the emergency, but in fact they are continuing it."<ref name="japantimespurges">{{cite news |title=Turkey set to end state of emergency, replace it with harsh new 'anti-terrorism' legislation |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/07/18/world/politics-diplomacy-world/turkey-set-end-state-emergency-replace-harsh-new-anti-terrorism-legislation/#.W4RRTbgzWUk |work=The Japan Times |date=18 July 2018}}</ref>
On 14 August 2018, Turkish police arrested another [[Germany|German]] citizen on terrorism-related charges. German authorities said nine German nationals are currently in detention in Turkey for "political reasons."<ref>{{cite news |title=Turkey arrests another German citizen |url=https://www.dw.com/en/turkey-arrests-another-german-citizen/a-45111256 |work=Deutsche Welle |date=16 August 2018}}</ref>
==== 2019 ====
On 12 February, Turkey issued 1,112 more detention orders, under the charge of organizing the [[2016 Turkey coup]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47210467|title=Turkey orders new mass detentions|date=12 February 2019|access-date=24 July 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref>
According to Turkish government data from March 2019, about 500,000 people were detained since the coup attempt, of which about 30,000 were in custody at the time of the information.<ref name="Spiegel Online">{{Cite news|url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/tuerkei-festnahme-von-mehr-als-200-mutmasslichen-guelen-anhaengern-angeordnet-a-1276469.html|title=Nach Putschversuch: Türkei ordnet Festnahme von mehr als 200 Soldaten an|date=9 July 2019|work=Spiegel Online|access-date=10 July 2019}}</ref> Erdogan reported in April 2019 of 31,000 employees of the police, as well as 15,000 members of the military, who had been removed from office since the coup d'état.<ref name="Spiegel Online"/> According to Anadolu, in the first week of July 2019, 282 people were arrested throughout Turkey.<ref name="Spiegel Online"/> The week before, at the end of June, there were 200 arrests.<ref name="Spiegel Online"/>
On 13 March 2019, the [[European Parliament]] unanimously accepted the call for a halt to the [[Accession of Turkey to the European Union|full membership negotiations between the EU and Turkey]].<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.euronews.com/2019/03/13/european-parliament-calls-for-suspension-of-turkey-eu-accession-talks |title =European Parliament calls for suspension of Turkey EU accession talks |language=en|date = March 13, 2019 |work =Euronews }}</ref>
On 28 July 2019, another German citizen, Osman B, was arrested on charges of running a "terror propaganda" using his Facebook account. He was arrested at a Turkish airport, while he was traveling for a family holiday.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mirrorherald.com/turkey-detains-another-german-over-social-media-post/|title=Turkey Detains Another German over Social Media Post|access-date=8 August 2019|publisher=MirrorHerald|archive-date=8 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808112420/https://mirrorherald.com/turkey-detains-another-german-over-social-media-post/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 19 August 2019, the [[Ministry of the Interior (Turkey)|Turkish Ministry of Interior]] appointed trustees to the [[Diyarbakır]], [[Mardin]] and [[Van, Turkey|Van]] metropolitan municipalities.<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.dw.com/tr/diyarbak%C4%B1r-mardin-ve-van-belediye-ba%C5%9Fkanlar%C4%B1-g%C3%B6revden-al%C4%B1nd%C4%B1/a-50073393 |title =Diyarbakır, Mardin ve Van belediyelerine kayyum |language=tr|date = August 19, 2019 |work =DW Türkçe }}</ref>
In October 2019, Turkish police detained more than 120 online critics of the [[2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria|Turkish invasion]] of the [[Rojava|Kurdish areas in Syria]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Turkish Patriotism on Display Amid Syria Operation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2019/10/16/world/europe/ap-eu-turkey-syria-patriotism.html |work=The New York Times |date=16 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Turkish public, politicians voice support for Syria military push |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/turkish-public-politicians-voice-support-syria-military-push-191010135034852.html |work=Al-Jazeera |date=10 October 2019}}</ref> Turkish prosecutor opened an investigation into "terrorist propaganda" against MPs [[Sezai Temelli]] and [[Pervin Buldan]], co-leaders of the pro-Kurdish [[Peoples' Democratic Party (Turkey)|HDP]] party.<ref>{{cite news |title=Turkish police investigate Kurdish leaders, fire water cannon at protesters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-socialmedia/turkish-police-investigate-kurdish-leaders-fire-water-cannon-at-protesters-idUSKBN1WP1ZD |work=Reuters |date=10 October 2019}}</ref> Turkey arrested at least 151 members of the HDP, including district officials.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/turkey-detains-mayors-kurdish-party-opposing-syria-push-191015152439875.html|title=Turkey detains mayors of Kurdish party opposing Syria push|website=aljazeera.com|date=15 October 2019}}</ref> Turkish authorities have also detained web editor of opposition ''BirGün'' newspaper and managing editor of the online news portal ''[[Diken (newspaper)|Diken]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Turkish authorities launch legal action against 78 people |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-launches-legal-action-against-78-people-147332 |work=[[Hürriyet Daily News]] |date=10 October 2019}}</ref>
==== 2020 ====
Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey]], the Turkish parliament approved a bill which could enable the release of up to 100,000 prisoners, including people responsible for deaths.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ahvalnews.com/prisoner-bill/riot-erupts-southeast-penitentiary-after-parliamentary-committee-approves-prisoner|title=Riot erupts in southeast penitentiary, after parliamentary committee approves prisoner release bill|website=Ahval|date=5 April 2020|language=en|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref> Political prisoners,<ref>{{cite news |title=Turkey plans prisoner release, excluding those jailed on post-coup terrorism charges |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-turkey-prisoners/turkey-plans-prisoner-release-excluding-those-jailed-on-post-coup-terrorism-charges-idUSKBN21P1WW |work=Reuters |date=7 April 2020}}</ref> journalists,<ref>{{cite news |title=Turkey releasing murderers – but not political opponents – from prison amid coronavirus pandemic |url=https://theconversation.com/turkey-releasing-murderers-but-not-political-opponents-from-prison-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-136466 |work=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]] |date=23 April 2020}}</ref> are excluded from the pardon despite overcrowding and unsanitary living conditions already posing a severe health threat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/03/turkey-imprisoned-journalists-human-rights-defenders-and-others-now-at-risk-of-covid-19-must-be-urgently-released/|title=Turkey: Imprisoned journalists, human rights defenders and others, now at risk of Covid-19, must be urgently released|date=30 March 2020|website=Amnesty International}}</ref>
The [[Ministry of the Interior (Turkey)|Turkish Interior Ministry]] has [[Censorship in Turkey|arrested]] social media users whose posts were "targeting officials and spreading panic and fear" by suggesting that COVID-19 "had spread widely in Turkey and that officials had taken insufficient measures".<ref>{{cite news |title=Coronavirus Has Started a Censorship Pandemic |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/04/01/coronavirus-censorship-pandemic-disinformation-fake-news-speech-freedom/ |work=The Foreign Policy |date=1 April 2020}}</ref> Several journalists, who were each reporting for local media, were detained for how they covered the pandemic.<ref>{{cite news |title=Turkish journalists arrested for reporting Covid-19 cases |url=https://rsf.org/en/news/turkish-journalists-arrested-reporting-covid-19-cases |work=Reporters Without Borders |date=11 May 2020}}</ref>
On 15 May 2020, the Turkish Ministry of Interior appointed trustees for the municipalities of [[Iğdır]] and [[Siirt]], the [[Baykan]] and [[Kurtalan]] districts of Siirt, and the municipalities of [[Altınova, Korkut|Altınova]] town of [[Korkut]] district of Muş.<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/5-belediye-baskani-gorevden-alindi-siirt-ve-igdira-kayyum-41518904|title=5 belediye başkanı görevden alındı, Siirt ve Iğdır'a kayyum|language=tr|date = May 16, 2020 |work =Hürriyet }}</ref>
Authorities had arrested or imprisoned more than 90,000 Turkish citizens by 2020.<ref>{{cite news |title=2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Turkey |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/turkey/ |work=United States Department of State}}</ref>
==== 2021 ====
In February, following a failed operation in which 13 Turkey soldiers died, Turkey arrested 700 opposition members, maneuvering to shift blame onto the opposition and Americans.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/15/world/middleeast/turkey-soldiers-deaths-kurdish-guerrillas.html|title=Deaths of Soldiers and Policemen Held by Kurdish Guerrillas Roil Turkish Politics|first=Carlotta|last=Gall|newspaper=The New York Times|date=15 February 2021}}</ref>
==== 2022 ====
In 2022, Turkey demands the extradition of many members of the [[Gülen movement]] and [[PKK]] from [[Finland]] and [[Sweden]], of which Sweden wants to become a [[NATO]] member.<ref>{{cite web |url =https://m.ensonhaber.com/gundem/turkiye-isvec-ve-finlandiyaya-teroristlerin-iadesi-icin-yazi-gonderdi |title =Türkiye, İsveç ve Finlandiya'ya teröristlerin iadesi için yazı gönderdi |language=tr|date = July 6, 2022 |work =ensonhaber.com }}</ref> However, the two countries rejected Turkey's extradition requests.<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.trthaber.com/m/haber/gundem/isvec-ve-finlandiya-turkiyenin-iade-taleplerini-hic-kabul-etmedi-680499.html |title =İsveç ve Finlandiya Türkiye'nin iade taleplerini hiç kabul etmedi |language=tr|date = May 16, 2022 |work = TRT Haber }}</ref> On 18 May 2022, Turkey quickly blocked Finland and Sweden's applications for accelerated membership in NATO.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-05-18 |title=Türkiye'den İsveç ve Finlandiya'nın NATO'ya üyelik görüşmelerine engel |url=https://www.rudaw.net/turkish/world/180520224 |publisher=rudaw.net |language=tr |access-date=20 December 2022 |archive-date=20 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220213214/https://www.rudaw.net/turkish/world/180520224 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In June 2022, the access of [[Deutsche Welle]] and [[Voice of America]] was completely blocked in Turkey.<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/amp/turkiye/deutsche-welle-ve-amerikanin-sesi-haber-sitelerine-erisim-engeli-1953140 |title =DW Türkçe ve Amerika'nın Sesi haber sitelerine erişim engeli |language=tr|date = June 30, 2022 |work =Cumhuriyet }}</ref> On 30 June 2022, Turkey announced that it would not approve NATO membership if members of the [[Gülen movement]] and PKK are not extradited from Finland and Sweden.<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-06-30 |title=Sözlerini tutmazlarsa NATO üyeliği parlamentodan geçmez |url=https://www.dw.com/tr/erdo%C4%9Fan-i%CC%87sve%C3%A7-ve-finlandiya-g%C3%B6revlerini-yerine-getirmezse-nato-%C3%BCyeli%C4%9Fi-parlamentodan-ge%C3%A7mez/a-62319165 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130152724/https://www.dw.com/tr/erdo%C4%9Fan-i%CC%87sve%C3%A7-ve-finlandiya-g%C3%B6revlerini-yerine-getirmezse-nato-%C3%BCyeli%C4%9Fi-parlamentodan-ge%C3%A7mez/a-62319165 |archive-date=30 November 2022 |access-date=30 November 2022 |website=DW Türkçe |publisher= |language=tr}}</ref>
==== 2023 ====
On 29 January 2023, Turkey announced that it requested the extradition of 130 people suspected of being members of the Gülen movement and PKK in order for Finland and Sweden to approve them for NATO membership.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/cumhurbaskani-erdogan-finlandiyaya-farkli-mesaj-verdigimizde-isvec-sok-olacak-741867.html|title=Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan: Finlandiya'ya farklı mesaj verdiğimizde İsveç şok olacak|language=tr|date = January 29, 2023 |work =trthaber.com }}</ref>
On 13 September 2023, the [[European Parliament]] unanimously accepted the call not to restart [[Accession of Turkey to the European Union|full membership negotiations between the EU and Turkey]].<ref>{{cite web |url =https://tr.euronews.com/2023/09/13/avrupa-parlamentosundan-turkiye-raporu-ab-uyeligi-mevcut-sartlarda-baslayamaz |title=Avrupa Parlamentosu'ndan Türkiye raporu: AB üyeliği mevcut şartlarda başlayamaz|language=tr|date = September 13, 2023 |work =tr.euronews.com }}</ref>
==== 2024 ====
On 2 August 2024, access to the social media platform [[Instagram]] was completely blocked in Turkey.<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.ntv.com.tr/amp/teknoloji/instagrama-erisim-engeli-getirildi,zEKrvSpXxEadtsvLpLjxGQ |title=Instagram'a erişim engeli getirildi|language=tr|date = August 2, 2024 |work =ntv.com.tr }}</ref> On 9 October 2024, access to the social media platform [[Discord]] in Turkey was completely blocked.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://amp.dw.com/tr/t%C3%BCrkiyede-discorda-eri%C5%9Fim-engeli/a-70440221|title=Türkiye'de Discord'a erişim engeli|language=tr|date = October 9, 2024 |work =dw.com}}</ref> On 4 November 2024, the [[Ministry of the Interior (Turkey)|Turkish Ministry of Interior]] appointed trustees to the [[Mardin]] metropolitan, [[Batman, Turkey|Batman]] and Şanlıurfa's [[Halfeti]] municipalities.<ref>{{cite web |url =https://www.bbc.com/turkce/articles/cwy5weplgp5o.amp |title=Mardin, Batman ve Halfeti belediyelerine kayyum atandı|language=tr|date = November 4, 2024 |work =bbc.com}}</ref>
==Human rights==
[[Human rights in Turkey]] are governed by [[international law]] treaties, including the [[International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights]] that Turkey signed in 2000, that take precedence over [[Legal system of the Republic of Turkey|Turkish legislation]] according to Article 90 of the 1982 [[Constitution of Turkey|Constitution]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ubjCDGcZ1Z4C|title=Human Rights in Turkey|first=Zehra F. Kabasakal|last=Arat|date=1 January 2011|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|via=Google Books|page=253|isbn=978-0812201147}}</ref> After protesters chanted for reintroduction of the [[Capital punishment in Turkey|death penalty]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theintercept.com/2016/07/21/donald-trump-crams-two-errors-one-statement-turkey/ |title=Donald Trump Crams Two Errors Into One Statement on Turkey |last=Mackey |first=Robert |date=21 July 2016 |website=theintercept.com |publisher=[[The Intercept]] |access-date=24 July 2016 |quote=It was revulsion at these massacres that prompted calls for Turkey to reintroduce the death penalty to deal with the guilty soldiers, and gave Erdogan popular support for the sweeping arrest of thousands accused of sympathizing with the coup plotters.}}</ref> abolished by Turkey in 2004, Erdoğan stated that this was a possibility that would be discussed in parliament, and that in a democracy, the will of the people must be respected.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36832071|title=Turkey coup attempt: Erdogan signals death penalty return – BBC News|work=BBC News|date=19 July 2016|language=en-GB|access-date=21 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/middle-east/120235-160717-erdogan-says-turkey-will-consider-reinstating-death-penalty|title=Erdogan says Turkey will consider reinstating death penalty|language=en-US|access-date=21 July 2016}}</ref> On 21 July, the Turkish government announced that it would suspend the [[European Convention on Human Rights]] during a temporary [[state of emergency]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-to-temporarily-suspend-european-convention-on-human-rights-after-coup-attempt.aspx?pageID=238&nid=101910&NewsCatID=338|title=Turkey to temporarily suspend European Convention on Human Rights after coup attempt|access-date=21 July 2016}}</ref>
On 24 July 2016, [[Amnesty International]] called for the European [[Committee for the Prevention of Torture]] to make an emergency visit to Turkey to see the conditions in which the detainees were held.<ref name="Amnesty_massive_torture"/>
=== Identification methods ===
[[Johannes Hahn]], the [[European Commissioner]] dealing with Turkey's bid to become a [[member state of the European Union]] (EU), said that it appears Turkey's government had prepared arrest lists of political opponents before the coup attempt and had been waiting for the right time to act.<ref name=Hahn>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-coup-attempt-erdogan-government-arrests-military-uprising-eu-commissioner-a7142426.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-coup-attempt-erdogan-government-arrests-military-uprising-eu-commissioner-a7142426.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Turkey coup attempt: Government had list of arrests prepared before rebellion, EU commissioner says|date=19 July 2016|newspaper=[[The Independent]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The usage of social medias monitoring is suspected.
Anonymous-and-paid denunciations by [[secret witness]]es are officially declared as the main source for identifying suspects. Most of the over 140 thousands people affected by the purges were affected following denunciations by coworkers and other citizens.<ref name="lemonde17.10.23">{{Cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2017/10/23/denoncer-les-terroristes-peut-rapporter-gros-en-turquie_5204825_3210.html|title=Dénoncer les " terroristes " peut rapporter gros en Turquie|date=23 October 2017|access-date=24 July 2019|language=fr}}</ref> The system have been legalized via a 31 August 2015's decree by the Ministry of interior.<ref name="lemonde17.10.23"/> The rewarded anonymous denunciation's grid is public and online, divided in 5 category according to the threat, and pointing to major suspects, mainly Kurds, then Gulenist, then Islamists (ISIS).<ref name="lemonde17.10.23"/>
About 11 millions citizens or one in 6 adults are reported to be under investigation online.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ahvalnews.com/turkish-prosecutors/over-11-million-under-investigation-turkey-2017-judicial-data|title=Over 11 million under investigation in Turkey in 2017 – judicial data|website=Ahval|date=10 December 2018|language=en|access-date=13 August 2019}}</ref>
==== Fetometer ====
Reports of a scoring system for Turkey citizens and foreigners to assess their relationships to the Gulen networks and crack down on them emerged.<ref name="almonitor20190320">{{Cite web|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/03/turkey-navys-incredible-algorithm-in-fight-against-gulen.html|title=Turkey's incredible algorithm designed to root out Gulenists|last=Gurcan|first=Metin|date=18 March 2019|website=Al-Monitor|language=en|access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.courrierinternational.com/article/le-mot-du-jour-fetometre|title=Le mot du jour. "Fetömètre"|date=15 February 2019|website=Courrier international|language=fr|access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref> The system, already in use on Turkey civil public servants and some military branch, allows Turkey governments to assess the relationship of citizens to Gulenist networks and likelihood for them to be part of it.<ref name="almonitor20190320"/> In the field of education, the [[Ministry of National Education (Turkey)|Turkish National Education Ministry]] used a Fetometer software to assess the relation of 993 books used in teaching with a set of Gulenist phrases and concepts. 100 books were assessed "inconvenient", 12 were "certainly Gulenist" and now banned by the Ministry. The phrases and concepts looked for were ''dialogue'', ''respect for human beings'', ''the golden generation'', ''horizon man'', ''hope'' and ''dedication''.<ref>{{citation|url=https://observatoryihr.org/2018-in-review-human-rights-violations-in-turkey/|title=2018 IN REVIEW: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN TURKEY |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803101928/https://observatoryihr.org/2018-in-review-human-rights-violations-in-turkey/ |archive-date=3 August 2020}}</ref>
=== Detainees' conditions ===
[[File:Selahattin Demirtaş 2018 campaign launch.jpg|thumb|Selahattin Demirtaş's [[Selahattin Demirtaş presidential campaign, 2018|presidential campaign]] being launched outside [[Edirne]] prison where he is incarcerated, 25 May 2018]]
According to [[Amnesty International]], during the July 2016 purges, detainees were denied food for up to three days and water for up to two days, were denied medical treatment, were reportedly raped with police [[Baton (law enforcement)|truncheons]] or fingers, and were subjected to other forms of torture.<ref name="Amnesty_massive_torture"/> Amnesty said that three hundred male soldiers held in the [[Ankara]] police headquarters were beaten during their detention, with injuries including bruises, cuts and broken bones. Forty soldiers were unable to walk because of their injuries, and two were unable to stand.<ref name="Amnesty_massive_torture"/> Amnesty also said that detainees' shirts were covered in blood during their interrogations by prosecutors and that detainees during the purges were mostly prevented from contacting their families and lawyers.<ref name="Amnesty_massive_torture"/>
Given overcrowded conditions, the Turkish government published a decree on 16 August announcing that 38,000 inmates whose criminal offense pre-dated 1 July were now eligible for sentence reduction.<ref name="38k_freed">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/17/turkey-free-prisoners-make-space-coup-plotters|title=Turkey to free 38,000 people from prisons to make space for alleged coup plotters|agency=Associated Press|date=17 August 2016|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> Inmates with two years or less to serve are eligible, while inmates who have served half of their sentence can ask for parole. The decree applies to crimes committed before 1 July 2016, excluding convictions for murder, domestic violence, sexual abuse, terrorism or crimes against the state.<ref name="38k_freed"/>
=== Prosecution of lawyers ===
Between July 2016 and June 2019, out of more than 1500 prosecuted lawyers, 599 were arrested and 311 were sentenced to an average of about six years in prison.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal|date=2020|title=New tools of repression, new tools of resistance: imprisoned lawyers in Turkey|journal=Socialist Lawyer|language=en|issue=84|pages=18–19|jstor=10.13169/socialistlawyer.84.0018|doi=10.13169/socialistlawyer.84.0018|s2cid=241729372 }}</ref> 34 lawyers associations in Turkey were shut down, and lawyers were forced to testify against their own clients.<ref name=":6"/> A law was enacted which forbade lawyers charged with terror related offenses to represent clients accused in terror-related offenses.<ref name=":6"/> Communications between lawyers and their respective clients arrested in pre-trial detention was enabled to be recorded.<ref name=":6"/>
===Arrest of human rights activists ===
Turkish human rights lawyer [[Orhan Kemal Cengiz]] was detained for three days in July 2016. He was "provisionally released" and remains subject to a travel ban.<ref name="hrw_cengiz"/><ref>[http://www.omct.org/human-rights-defenders/urgent-interventions/turkey/2016/07/d23879/ Turkey: Provisional release of Mr. Orhan Kemal Cengiz and travel ban against him], [[World Organisation Against Torture]] (26 July 2016).</ref> Serdar Kuni, a doctor from [[Cizre]], who assisted the respected [[Human Rights Foundation]] in documenting violations in the town, and arrested on poorly defined charges of "being a member of a terrorist organization" for treating injured locals.<ref>{{citation|title=A Doctor's Trial in a Turkish Border Town|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/29/opinion/a-doctors-trial-in-a-turkish-border-town.html|first=Christine|last=Mehta|newspaper=The New York Times|date=29 May 2017}}</ref>
On 6 June 2017, [[Taner Kılıç]], the Chair of Amnesty International Turkey, and another 22 lawyers were detained in [[İzmir]] by the Turkish police on the suspicion of having links with the Fethullah Gülen movement and later charged with "membership of a terrorist organisation". The detention and prosecution was condemned by Amnesty International and [[Human Rights Watch]] who asked for his immediate release. Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch, stated that "detaining Kılıç on suspicion of terrorist offenses looks like a tactic aimed at discrediting his legitimate human rights work."<ref>{{cite news|title=Turkey: Imprisonment of Amnesty Chair is a devastating injustice|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2017/06/turkey-imprisonment-of-amnesty-chair-is-a-devastating-injustice/|access-date=16 June 2017|work=Amnesty International|date=9 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Turkey: Release Amnesty International Official|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/06/08/turkey-release-amnesty-international-official|access-date=16 June 2017|work=Human Rights Watch|date=8 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Chair of Amnesty International Turkey swept up in post-coup purge|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2017/06/chair-of-amnesty-international-turkey-swept-up-in-post-coup-purge/|access-date=16 June 2017|work=Amnesty International|date=6 June 2017}}</ref>
===Nightwatchmen system===
{{Expand section|date=June 2020}}
The ''[[bekçi]]'' or Nightwatchmen auxiliary police force has been used in the 1990s to monitor the South Eastern regions against PKK activities.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=2020-01-30|title=Alarm as Turkey's ruling party moves to empower night watchmen|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/01/turkey-goverment-expand-power-police-night-watchmen.html|access-date=2020-06-10|website=Al-Monitor|language=en}}</ref>
Bekçi forces have traditionally served as neighborhood watchmen in Turkey.<ref name=":3"/>
In 2008, the 8,000 active bekçis were absorbed into regular police force and the system abolished.<ref name=":3"/>
Following the 2016 Coup and a large-scale operation in southeastern regions, the Turkish government reinstated the bekçi force, hiring 2,400 officers to patrol the regions' Kurdish-majority cities of Sirnak, Hakkari, Urfa, Mardin and Diyarbakir.<ref name=":3"/> The bekçi guards have since been gradually extended to the entire country.<ref name=":3"/>
Nightwatchmen's are described as local young men, with Standart watchmen training.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|last=McKernan|first=Bethan|date=2020-06-08|title=Alarm at Turkish plan to expand powers of nightwatchmen|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/08/alarm-at-turkish-plan-to-expand-powers-of-nightwatchmen|access-date=2020-06-10|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
Bekçi guards can be equipped with whistles, batons, and carry guns (Jan. 2020).<ref name=":4"/>
They have the authority to check citizens' identity, body search them, and use of lethal force is under legislative discussion.<ref name=":4"/>
Bekçi guards have been qualified as the Turkish version of Iran's [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]].<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Cohen Yanarocak|first1=Hay Eytan|last2=Spyer|first2=Jonathan|date=2021-01-26|title=Les milices privées reniables d'Erdoğan déstabilisent le Moyen-Orient|url=https://lobservateur.info/article/20336/Chronique/les-milices-privees-reniables-derdogan-destabilisent-le-moyen-orient|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-20|website=L'observateur Du Maroc et de l'Afrique|language=FR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422152000/https://lobservateur.info/article/20336/Chronique/les-milices-privees-reniables-derdogan-destabilisent-le-moyen-orient |archive-date=22 April 2021 }}</ref>
== International ==
The Turkish government have been looking for opponents in foreign countries as well.<ref name="pri.org"/>
=== School closures ===
About 1,000 [[Gülen movement schools]] exist worldwide, with 300 of them in Turkey. Turkey requested closure of affiliated schools in 50 countries.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2016/07/28/turkey-calls-50-countries-to-close-gulenist-schools |work= Daily Sabah | title= Turkey calls 50 countries to close Gülenist schools| first= Zübeyde |last= Yalçin| location= Istanbul | date= 28 July 2016 | access-date=13 August 2016}}</ref>
* [[Somalia]] closed the Gülen affiliated schools.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-18/somalia-shuts-schools-linked-to-turkish-cleric-after-failed-coup| title= Somalia Shuts Schools Linked to Turkish Cleric After Failed Coup| first= Mohamed |last= Sheikh Nor| website= Bloomberg.com| date= 18 July 2016 | access-date=18 August 2016}}</ref>
* [[Azerbaijan]] closed 13 education centres, 11 high schools, and also [[Qafqaz University]] associated with Gülen movement.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://www.eurasianet.org/node/79781 | newspaper= Eurasianet | title= Azerbaijan: University, Paper Closed as Anti-Gülen Cleanup Continues| date= 20 July 2016| first= Durna |last= Safarova |access-date=13 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url= http://www.dailysabah.com/duplicate/2016/07/21/gulen-affiliated-university-closed-in-azerbaijan| work= Daily Sabah| title= Gülen-affiliated university closed in Azerbaijan| agency= Andolu Agency| location= Baku| date= 21 July 2016 | access-date=13 August 2016}}</ref>
* [[Pakistan]]: Turkey requested closure of Gülen movement schools.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/turkey-asks-pakistan-to-shut-down-gulen-run-schools-116080201271_1.html| work= [[Business Standard]]| title=  Turkey asks Pakistan to shut down Gulen-run schools| agency= IANS | location= Islamabad |date= 2 August 2016 | access-date=13 August 2016}}</ref>
* [[Sudan]] closed Gülen movement schools by Turkish request.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://english.aawsat.com/2016/08/article55355910/sudan-closes-gulen-schools-response-turkish-governments-request| work= Asharq Al-Awsat| title= Sudan Closes Gulen Schools in Response to Turkish Government's Request| first= Ahmed |last= Younis|date= 6 August 2016 | access-date=13 August 2016}}</ref>
=== Foreign operations and abductions ===
Turkey has led a hunt of political opponents abroad.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2018/12/11/blacksitesturkey-une-centaine-de-gulenistes-enleves-a-l-etranger_5395655_3210.html|title=#blacksitesturkey : une centaine de gülénistes enlevés à l'étranger|date=11 December 2018|access-date=24 July 2019|language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lexpress.fr/actualite/monde/europe/sur-la-piste-des-commandos-d-erdogan_2016248.html|title=Sur la piste des commandos d'Erdogan|date=16 June 2018|website=LExpress.fr|language=fr|access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref> Private planes are used to illegally abduct gulenists on foreign territories, without agreements with local jurisdictions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/turkey/.premium-revealed-turkey-uses-these-jets-to-abduct-dissidents-1.6739549|title=Revealed: Turkey Uses These Jets to Abduct Dissidents|last=Goldberg|first=Rachel|date=11 December 2018|work=Haaretz|access-date=24 July 2019|language=en}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=March 2023}}
== Reactions ==
The purges were criticized by Western governments and human rights groups. [[Human Rights Watch]] warned the Turkish government against "[using] the coup attempt to justify a witch-hunt against those it regards as opponents".<ref name="HRW_background"/> Andrew Gardner, [[Amnesty International]]'s researcher for Turkey, said: "We are witnessing a crackdown of exceptional proportions in Turkey at the moment. While it is understandable, and legitimate, that the government wishes to investigate and punish those responsible for this bloody coup attempt, they must abide by the rule of law and respect freedom of expression."<ref>"[https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/07/turkey-media-purge-threatens-freedom-of-expression/ Turkey: Media purge threatens freedom of expression]". Amnesty International. 20 July 2016.</ref>
Conversely, the purges were praised by [[Judicial Commission of Indonesia]] chairman [[Aidul Fitriciada Azhari]]. Azhari pointed to the purges as a positive example of external oversight of a judicial system and the exercise of executive power by a judicial commission, referring to the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors.<ref>[http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/07/23/supreme-court-urged-accept-oversight-ensure-reform.html Supreme Court urged to accept oversight to ensure reform]. [[Jakarta Post]], 23 July 2016. Accessed 7 November 2016.</ref>
===Accession of Turkey to the European Union===
{{Main|Accession of Turkey to the European Union}}
[[Johannes Hahn]], the [[European Commissioner]] dealing with Turkey's bid to become a [[member state of the European Union]] (EU), said that it appeared Turkey's government had prepared arrest lists of political opponents before the coup attempt and had been waiting for the right time to act.<ref name="Hahn"/> EU [[High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy]] [[Federica Mogherini]] condemned the purges, saying: "What we're seeing especially in the fields of universities, media, the judiciary, is unacceptable."<ref name=Mogherini>{{cite news| url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-idUSKCN0ZX07S?il=0 |title= Erdogan announces army overhaul in latest post-coup shakeup| website= Reuters.com| date= 22 July 2016}}</ref>
[[Horst Seehofer]], the [[List of Ministers-President of Bavaria|minister-president]] of [[Bavaria]], urged the EU to suspend Turkey's accession negotiations: "If one sees how Turkey is dismantling the rule of law... then these (EU membership) negotiations must be stopped immediately. No democratic constitutional state acts like this."<ref>"[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-germany-idUSKCN1021CL Merkel ally urges EU to suspend Turkey accession talks over purge]". Reuters. 22 July 2016.</ref>
On 24 November 2016 the European Parliament voted 497 to 37 in favour of a non binding freeze on membership talks with Turkey in response to "disproportionate repressive measures taken in Turkey since the failed military coup attempt."<ref name=EUFreeze>{{cite news| url= http://www.dw.com/en/majority-of-european-parliament-votes-to-freeze-eu-membership-talks-with-turkey/a-36503988 |title= Majority of European Parliament votes to freeze EU membership talks with Turkey| website= dw.com| date= 24 November 2016}}</ref>
===University associations===
The Czech University Council compared negatively the purges of educational institutions in Turkey to events which took place under the [[History of Czechoslovakia (1948–89)|Communist regime]] in former [[Czechoslovakia]].<ref>"[http://www.radio.cz/en/section/news/deputy-pm-seeks-government-motion-over-purge-of-education-sector-in-turkey Deputy PM seeks government motion over purge of education sector in Turkey]". ''Radio Prague.'' 22 July 2016.</ref>
The [[European University Association]] (EUA) joined by the [[European University Foundations]] (EUF) "strongly and unconditionally" condemned the forced resignation of hundreds of deans from higher education institutions in Turkey in the wake of the failed coup attempt in the country, and called on all European governments, universities and scholars to speak out against these developments and to support democracy in Turkey, including institutional autonomy and academic freedom for scholars and students.<ref>{{cite web|title=EUA Statement condemning the forced resignation of 1577 university deans|url=http://www.eua.be/activities-services/news/newsitem/2016/07/19/eua-statement-condemning-the-forced-resignation-of-1577-university-deans|access-date=25 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723095747/http://www.eua.be/activities-services/news/newsitem/2016/07/19/eua-statement-condemning-the-forced-resignation-of-1577-university-deans|archive-date=23 July 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Turkey purge: EUA condemns move on university deans Hundreds of deans have been ordered to resign while academics have been told not to travel abroad for work in the wake of the failed coup|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/turkey-purge-eua-condemns-move-university-deans| website= timeshighereducation.com| access-date=25 July 2016|date=20 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Statement condemning the forced resignation of university deans in Turkey|url=http://uni-foundation.eu/european-university-foundation/news/statement-condemning-forced-resignation-university-deans-turkey|access-date=25 July 2016}}</ref>
===Europe===
[[File:Solidaritäts-matinee-deniz-yücel-mai-2017-ffm-2985.jpg|thumb|Free [[Deniz Yücel]] campaign in Frankfurt, 21 May 2017]]
[[File:Italian Wikipedia against Turkey's censorship (Screenshot 2017-05-08).jpg|thumb|[[Italian Wikipedia]] against Turkey's censorship]]
[[File:Manifestacja Krakowie w obronie Aslı Erdoğan i tureckich więźniów politycznych 01.jpg|thumb|Demonstration in support of arrested journalist [[Aslı Erdoğan]] in [[Kraków]], Poland]]
Belgian Foreign Minister [[Didier Reynders]] said Turkish authorities' reaction to the failed coup needed to be "proportionate," and that he was alarmed by the arrests of judges and calls for reinstatement of the death penalty against coup participants.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Osborne|first1=Samuel|last2=Mortimer|first2=Caroline|title=Turkey coup: World leaders call for 'restraint and moderation' as Erdoğan continues purge|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-coup-8000-police-officers-removed-across-the-country-as-president-erdogan-continues-purge-a7142111.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-coup-8000-police-officers-removed-across-the-country-as-president-erdogan-continues-purge-a7142111.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=25 July 2016|agency=Independent|date=18 July 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
French Foreign Minister [[Jean-Marc Ayrault]] voiced concern, warning against a "political system which turns away from democracy" in response to the purges.<ref name="FT-purges"/>
British Foreign Secretary [[Boris Johnson]] described the [[Gülen movement]] as a "cult" and expressed his support for the post-coup purges. Johnson said: "what happened in July [2016] was deeply violent, deeply anti-democratic, deeply sinister and it was totally right that it was crushed."<ref>{{cite news |title=Boris Johnson says he will help Turkey hunt for Gulenists in the UK |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/boris-johnson-pledges-to-help-turkey-get-to-the-bottom-of-gulenist-links-in-the-uk-2016-9 |work=Business Insider |date=28 September 2016}}</ref>
===United States===
[[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[Barack Obama]] said he was concerned by pictures showing the rough treatment of some of the arrested coup plotters, some of whom appeared stripped to their underwear and handcuffed behind their backs.<ref name="Obama">{{cite news| title= Turkey coup attempt: World leaders warn Erdoğan not to use uprising as excuse for crackdown as more than 6,000 arrested|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/17/turkey-coup-plot-president-erdogan-rounds-up-thousands-of-soldie/|access-date=25 July 2016|work= [[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]| date= 18 July 2016}}</ref> U.S. Secretary of State [[John Kerry]] urged Turkish authorities to halt the crackdown on its citizens, expressing concern that the aim of the crackdown was to "suppress dissent."<ref name="FT-purges"/>
The commander of [[United States Central Command|U.S. Central Command]], General [[Joseph Votel]], said that several of the U.S. military's closest partners in the Turkish military have been jailed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pentagon Allies Jailed in Turkey Amid Coup Backlash, General Says |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2016/07/28/pentagon-allies-jailed-in-turkey-amid-coup-backlash-general-says/ |work=The Wall Street Journal|date=28 July 2016}}</ref> In response, Erdoğan said Votel was being on the side of coup plotters.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36925723 |title= Turkey's Erdogan to drop lawsuits against people who insulted him |work=[[BBC News]]|date=29 July 2016}}</ref> On 29 July, Votel said in a statement: "Any reporting that I had anything to do with the recent unsuccessful coup attempt in Turkey is unfortunate and completely inaccurate. ... We appreciate Turkey's continuing cooperation and look forward to our future partnership in the counter-ISIL fight."<ref>{{cite news|title= U.S. general denies involvement in Turkish coup attempt |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-usa-votel-idUSKCN10925Y |work=Reuters |date=29 July 2016}}</ref>
On 1 August 2018, President [[Donald Trump]]'s administration sanctioned two top [[Cabinet Erdoğan IV|Turkish government officials]], Turkish Justice Minister [[Abdulhamit Gül]] and Interior Minister [[Suleyman Soylu]], over the detention of American pastor [[Andrew Brunson]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Andrew Brunson, U.S. Pastor, Moved to House Arrest in Turkey |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/25/world/middleeast/andrew-brunson-turkey.html |work=The New York Times |date=25 June 2018}}</ref><ref name="newsweek">{{cite news |title=Turkey's Dangerous Game of 'Hostage Diplomacy' |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/05/turkey-andrew-brunson-erdogan-coup-gulen-kurds/559748/ |work=The Atlantic |date=6 May 2018}}</ref> The indictment stated that American pastor had ties with Gülen's network.<ref name="newsweek"/> [[Daniel Glaser]], the former [[Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing]] under President Barack Obama, said: "It's certainly the first time I can think of" the U.S. sanctioning a [[NATO]] ally. "I certainly regard it as a human rights violation to unlawfully detain somebody, so I think it falls within the scope of the Global [[Magnitsky Act]]."<ref>{{cite news |title=US sanctions Turkish officials over detained pastor |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-administration-to-sanction-turkish-officials-over-imprisonment-of-american-pastor-andrew-brunson/ |work=Politico |date=1 August 2018}}</ref>
===United Nations===
In July 2016, the U.S., with the support of Britain, drafted language for the [[United Nations Security Council]] that would have expressed grave concern over the situation, called upon on all parties to "respect the democratically elected government of Turkey" and the [[rule of law]], and urged the parties to show restraint and avoid violence. However, [[Egypt]] blocked the proposed statement.<ref name="EgyptReject">Michelle Nichols, [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-un-idUSKCN0ZW0ZN?il=0 Egypt blocks U.N. call to respect 'democratically elected' government in Turkey], Reuters (16 July 2016).</ref> Egyptian diplomats said that the council is "in no position to qualify, or label [the Turkish] government—or any other government for that matter—as democratically elected or not". Objection by the United States and the UK—permanent members of the Security Council—led to Egypt proposing a new statement calling for all sides to "respect the democratic and constitutional principles and the rule of law", which was rejected, preventing the condemnation of the coup attempt by the Security Council.<ref name="EgyptReject"/>
In August 2016, [[United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] [[Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein]] decried the purge. Zeid said that while he opposed the coup attempt, the wide-ranging purge showed a "thirst for revenge" that was alarming.<ref>Stephanie Nebehay, [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-un-rights-idUSKCN10L1WR U.N. rights boss decries purge in Turkey, voices concerns on China], Reuters (10 August 2016).</ref> Later that month, a group of experts in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a joint statement saying that the purges may violate [[international law]],<ref name="Dearden">Lizzie Dearden, [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-coup-attempt-news-latest-un-erdogan-purges-arrests-international-human-rights-law-40000-a7198856.html Turkey coup attempt: UN warns Erdogan government purges could violate international law after 40,000 detained], ''The Independent'' (19 August 2016).</ref> specifically Turkey's obligations under the [[International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights]].<ref>[https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=54715 UN experts press Turkey to adhere to human rights obligations despite state of emergency], UN News Center (19 August 2016).</ref> The statement said: "While we understand the sense of crisis in Turkey, we are concerned that the government's steps to limit a broad range of human rights guarantees go beyond what can be justified in light of the current situation. Turkey is going through a critical period. Derogation measures must not be used in a way that will push the country deeper into crisis."<ref name="Dearden"/>
In March 2018 [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] issued a report on the impact of the state of emergency on human rights in Turkey. The report indicates interference of the executive with the work of the judiciary and curtailment of parliamentary oversight over the executive branch of government; arbitrary mass dismissals of civil servants and private sector employees; arbitrary closure of civil society organizations, including prominent human rights NGOs and media; arbitrary detention of people arrested under state of emergency measures; the use of torture and ill-treatment during pre-trial detention; restrictions of the rights to freedoms of expression and of movement; arbitrary expropriation of private property; and methods of collective punishment targeting family members of individuals suspected of offences under the state of emergency. OHCHR said that the routine extensions of the state of emergency may lead to an enduring system of governing characterized by a large number of arbitrary decisions that profoundly affect the lives of many individuals and families.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/TR/2018-03-19_Second_OHCHR_Turkey_Report.pdf|title=Report on the impact of the state of emergency on human rights in Turkey, including an update on the South-East}}</ref>
== Analysis ==
=== Historical light ===
[[Can Dündar]], Editor-in-chief of the Turkish daily ''[[Cumhuriyet]]'', described the purges as part of a historical pattern of political power in Turkey shifting back and forth between the secular military versus religious institutions, with democrats in the middle having little power to prevent the repeated oscillations, but worse than previous cycles. He described the 2016 purges as "the biggest witch-hunt in Turkey's history".<ref name="HurriyetChief_biggest_witchhunt"/> Historians and analysts including [[Henri J. Barkey]], Director of the [[Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars#Middle East Program|Middle East Program of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars]], compared the 2016 Turkish purges to [[Mao Zedong]]'s [[Cultural Revolution]] that started in 1966 and the [[Iranian Cultural Revolution]] in which Iranian academia was purged during 1980–1987.<ref name="NYT_Barkey"/> The government of Turkey has been analysed to blame Western forces and raise anti-Americanism in order to distract the public from real intranational tensions, as well as to take an upper ground for negotiations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/04/opinion/turkeys-new-anti-americanism.html|title=Turkey's New Anti-Americanism|date=4 August 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=7 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/europe/100000004564697/erdogan-says-west-supports-terrorism.html|title=Erdogan Says West Supports Terrorism|date=2 August 2016|agency=Associated Press|access-date=7 August 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|last=Handout |first=Presidential Palace }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/03/world/europe/turkey-coup-erdogan-fethullah-gulen-united-states.html|title=Turks Can Agree on One Thing: U.S. Was Behind Failed Coup|date=3 August 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=7 August 2016}}</ref> According to the ''New York Times'', "Searching for historical parallels, analysts have made comparisons with [[McCarthyism|Joseph McCarthy]]'s anti-Communist witch hunt in 1950s America, the [[Great Purge|Stalinist purges]] of the 1930s and the Cultural Revolution in China in the 1960s and '70s."<ref name="NYT2-tr-purge"/> Other comparisons have been made with Hitler's use of the [[Reichstag fire]] to consolidate his power, and with [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk|Atatürk's]] use of the 1926 assassination plot on his life to purge Turkey of his political opponents and rivals.<ref>[[Stefan Ihrig]], ''Measured Terror'', History Today, Volume 67 Issue 2 February 2017 [http://www.historytoday.com/stefan-ihrig/measured-terror]</ref>
=== Political sciences ===
Academics are now discussing "Turkey's democracy collapse"<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal|last1=Esen|first1=Berk|last2=Gumuscu|first2=Sebnem|date=2020-05-11|title=Why did Turkish democracy collapse? A political economy account of Turkish government's authoritarianism|journal=Party Politics|language=en|pages=135406882092372|doi=10.1177/1354068820923722|issn=1354-0688|hdl=11693/75894|s2cid=219458590|hdl-access=free}}</ref> and its "authoritarian turn".<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Erensü|first1=Sinan|last2=Alemdaroğlu|first2=Ayça|date=April 2018|title=Dialectics of Reform and Repression: Unpacking Turkey's Authoritarian "Turn"|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/review-of-middle-east-studies/article/dialectics-of-reform-and-repression-unpacking-turkeys-authoritarian-turn/F23137D8FE45C711ECE9B65D1B8A8134|journal=Review of Middle East Studies|language=en|volume=52|issue=1|pages=16–28|doi=10.1017/rms.2018.8|s2cid=159013147|issn=2151-3481}}</ref> It has been argued that solid political position encourage leaders to crack down and double down on oppositions parties while less secure governing groups are more inclined into deescalation and appeasement.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Aytaç|first1=S. Erdem|last2=Schiumerini|first2=Luis|last3=Stokes|first3=Susan|date=March 2017|title=Protests and Repression in New Democracies|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/perspectives-on-politics/article/protests-and-repression-in-new-democracies/E99269D609B4F3DD1231BD36E44C5BF4|journal=Perspectives on Politics|language=en|volume=15|issue=1|pages=62–82|doi=10.1017/S1537592716004138|s2cid=151877655|issn=1537-5927}}</ref> AKP's political alliances with both wealthy business world via privileged and urban poor via redistribution of public resources, providing non-competitive elections, reduced elected officials political tolerance for oppositions and reduced the costs of cracking down on them.<ref name=":5"/> This AKP-hegemonic political landscape, associated calculations and observable room for repressive actions lead to increase authoritarianism from Turkish government through "securitization of dissent, mounting repression, and systematic violation of civil liberties".<ref name=":5"/> Turkey is described as a case of "[[competitive authoritarianism]]",<ref name=":5"/> a regime in which democratic elections occurs under the guidance of an authoritarian government and where the main party guaranteed to win.
==See also==
*[[List of arrested journalists in Turkey]]
*[[List of arrested mayors in Turkey]]
*[[List of media outlets shut down in the 2016 Turkish purges]]
*[[Censorship in Turkey]]
*[[Human rights in Turkey]]
*[[Media freedom in Turkey]]
*[[Freedom of speech in Turkey]]
*[[Press freedom in Turkey]]
== References ==
{{reflist|30em|refs=
<!-- background -->
<ref name="HRW_background">{{cite web| title =Turkey: Protect Rights, Law After Coup Attempt| publisher =[[Human Rights Watch]] | date =18 July 2016| url =https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/07/18/turkey-protect-rights-law-after-coup-attempt | access-date =19 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719140555/https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/07/18/turkey-protect-rights-law-after-coup-attempt |archive-date=19 July 2016 |url-status = live}}</ref>
==Further reading==
*{{cite magazine|url = https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/turkey/2018-01-29/remarkable-scale-turkeys-global-purge|magazine = [[Foreign Affairs]]|date = 29 January 2018|title = The Remarkable Scale of Turkey's "Global Purge": How It Became a Threat to the Rule of Law Everywhere|author = Nate Schenkkan}}
<!-- Jan 2014 -->
<ref name="ThReut_purge_intensifies">{{cite web|last1=Butler |first1=Daren |last2=Toksabay |first2=Ece |title=Turkish prosecutors removed as judicial purge intensifies |publisher=[[Thomson Reuters]] |date=16 January 2014 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-corruption-idUSBREA0F1CO20140116 |access-date=18 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808235639/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-corruption-idUSBREA0F1CO20140116 |archive-date=8 August 2016 |url-status = live }}</ref>
<ref name="ThReut_halt_investigation">{{cite web|last1=Butler |first1=Daren |last2=Tattersall |first2=Nick |title=Turkish judicial purge brings corruption investigation to halt |publisher=[[Thomson Reuters]] |date=22 January 2014 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-corruption-idUSBREA0L1G220140122 |access-date=18 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124172138/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-corruption-idUSBREA0L1G220140122 |archive-date=24 January 2016 |url-status = live }}</ref>
<ref name="Telegraph_biggest_purge">{{cite web|last=Shirlock |first=Ruth |title=Turkey continues with huge purge of judges and police |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=22 January 2014 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/10590399/Turkey-continues-with-huge-purge-of-judges-and-police.html |access-date=18 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123104839/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/10590399/Turkey-continues-with-huge-purge-of-judges-and-police.html |archive-date=23 January 2014 |url-status = live }}</ref>
<!-- July 2016 -->
<ref name="Reuters_2700judges">{{cite news | last=Dolan |first=David |editor-last=MacSwan |editor-first=Angus |date=16 July 2016 |title=Turkey removes more than 2,700 judges following coup attempt |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/turkey-security-judges-idINKCN0ZW0OZ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716190631/http://in.reuters.com/article/turkey-security-judges-idINKCN0ZW0OZ |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 July 2016 |newspaper=[[Reuters]] |language=en |access-date=16 July 2016}}</ref>
<!-- April 2017 -->
<ref name="Reuters0430">{{cite news | last1=Pamuk | first1=Humeyra | last2=Gurses | first2=Ercan | title=Turkey fires 3,900 in second post-referendum purge | date=29 April 2017 | publisher=[[Thomson Reuters]] | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-expulsions/turkey-fires-3900-in-second-post-referendum-purge-idUSKBN17V0MH | access-date=24 November 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019120113/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-expulsions/turkey-fires-3900-in-second-post-referendum-purge-idUSKBN17V0MH | archive-date=19 October 2017 |url-status = live| df=dmy-all }}</ref>
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<ref name="HSYK_5_members_removed">{{cite web|title=HSYK, 2 bin 745 hakimi açığa aldı; 5 kişinin üyeliğini düşürdü!|url=http://t24.com.tr/haber/hsyk-5-uyesinin-uyeligini-dusurme-karari-aldi,350314|publisher=T24|access-date=16 July 2016|language=tr}}</ref>
<ref name="t24_140yargitay">{{cite web|title=Darbe girişimiyle ilgili 140 Yargıtay ve 48 Danıştay üyesi hakkında gözaltı kararı|url=http://t24.com.tr/haber/darbe-girisimiyle-ilgili-10-danistay-uyesi-gozaltina-alindi,350321|publisher=T24|access-date=16 July 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160716182806/http://t24.com.tr/haber/darbe-girisimiyle-ilgili-10-danistay-uyesi-gozaltina-alindi,350321|archive-date=16 July 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="DW_755_judiciary_arrests">{{cite web|title=Turkey's post-coup purge reaches 20,000 |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |date=18 July 2016 |url=http://www.dw.com/en/turkeys-post-coup-purge-reaches-20000/a-19408795 |access-date=19 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718225326/http://www.dw.com/en/turkeys-post-coup-purge-reaches-20000/a-19408795 |archive-date=18 July 2016 |url-status = live }}</ref>
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<ref name="Amnesty_massive_torture">{{cite web|title=Turkey: Independent monitors must be allowed to access detainees amid torture allegations |publisher=[[Amnesty International]] |date=24 July 2016 |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/07/turkey-independent-monitors-must-be-allowed-to-access-detainees-amid-torture-allegations/ |access-date=24 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729204637/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/07/turkey-independent-monitors-must-be-allowed-to-access-detainees-amid-torture-allegations/ |archive-date=29 July 2016 |url-status = dead }}</ref>
<ref name="hrw_cengiz">{{cite web|first=Emma |last=Sinclair-Webb |title=Dispatches: Turkey's State of Emergency |publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]] |date=22 July 2016 |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/07/22/dispatches-turkeys-state-emergency |access-date=24 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723173512/https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/07/22/dispatches-turkeys-state-emergency |archive-date=23 July 2016 |url-status = live }}</ref>
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<ref name="NYT_countercoup">{{cite news| title =The Counter-Coup in Turkey | newspaper =New York Times | date =16 July 2016 | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/16/opinion/the-counter-coup-in-turkey.html?_r=0 | access-date =16 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716175951/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/16/opinion/the-counter-coup-in-turkey.html |archive-date=16 July 2016 |url-status = live}}</ref>
<ref name="HurriyetChief_biggest_witchhunt">{{cite news| last1 =Dündar| first1 =Can| author-link =Can Dündar| title =This is the biggest witch-hunt in Turkey's history | newspaper =The Guardian | date =22 July 2016| url = https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/22/biggest-witch-hunt-turkish-history-coup-erdogan-europe-help| access-date = 22 July 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160722202125/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/22/biggest-witch-hunt-turkish-history-coup-erdogan-europe-help |archive-date= 22 July 2016 |url-status = live}}</ref>
<ref name="NYT_Barkey">{{cite news| first1 = Ben |last1=Hubbard |first2= Tim |last2= Arango |first3= Ceylan |last3= Yeginsu| title =Failed Turkish Coup Accelerated a Purge Years in the Making| newspaper = The New York Times | date =22 July 2016 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/23/world/middleeast/failed-turkish-coup-accelerated-a-purge-years-in-the-making.html| access-date = 22 July 2016 }}</ref>
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==External links==
* [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-44519112 Reality Check: The numbers behind the crackdown in Turkey, BBC, 18 June 2018]
* [https://turkeypurge.com/ Turkey Purge | Monitoring human rights abuses in Turkey's post-coup crackdown] – multi-lingual (including English) detailed documentation of the purges
** [https://turkeypurge.com/about-us URLs of Turkish government decrees detailing purges]
{{Portal bar|Turkey}}
{{Military coups in Turkey}}
{{Mass surveillance}}
{{Recep Tayyip Erdoğan}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:2016 Turkish purges}}
[[Category:2016 in law]]
[[Category:2016 in Turkey]]
[[Category:2017 in law]]
[[Category:2017 in Turkey]]
[[Category:2018 in law]]
[[Category:2018 in Turkey]]
[[Category:2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt]]
[[Category:2016–17 purges in Turkey| ]]
[[Category:August 2016 events in Turkey|Turkish purges]]
[[Category:Human rights abuses in Turkey]]
[[Category:Judiciary of Turkey]]
[[Category:July 2016 events in Turkey|Turkish purges]]
[[Category:Political and cultural purges]]
[[Category:Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]]
[[Category:Recep Tayyip Erdoğan controversies]]
[[Category:Law of Turkey]]
[[Category:Transitional justice]]