![]() "Despite all provocations, we did not give up rule of law, democracy and legitimacy", Erdogan tweeted on May 10. Supporters of Erdogan, who was once jailed for reciting a poem which authorities said incited Islamist sedition, view him as a defender of democracy and civilian government who confronted the military to halt its interference in politics. Rights activists say the LGBT community, often described as "deviant" by Erdogan, has been systematically targeted. Seeking to rally his conservative base, Erdogan has declared the opposition "pro-LGBT" while on the campaign trail. Polls are showing a tight race between Erdogan and his main challenger, CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, candidate of a six-party alliance, who has a slight lead. The opposition has long said Erdogan and his AK Party influence the courts. Western powers see it as a politically-driven case. Gokcen said an opposition-led government would introduce changes including a constitutional amendment to secure judicial independence, and put an end to politically-motivated lawsuits.Īmong other changes, she said an opposition-led Turkey would also respect rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, with which Erdogan has clashed, notably over the case of Osman Kavala.Ī civil activist, Kavala was jailed for life in 2022 on a charge of trying to overthrow the government by financing protests. While Ankara defends its rights record, critics say civil liberties and freedoms have suffered major set backs over the last decade as Erdogan has concentrated ever more power in his hands, prompting concern among Western allies. ![]() As we put an end to the autocratic rule in Turkey, we will take comprehensive measures so that no authoritarian regime will emerge again," she said. "We will focus on building a pluralistic democracy. "If we take power, everyone will speak freely and be harshly criticized," Gokce Gokcen, deputy chairwoman of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), told Reuters in an interview. With Erdogan facing his toughest test yet at the ballot box, rights advocates hope his defeat will draw a line under an era which they say has seen judicial independence eroded, freedom of speech curbed, and journalists and politicians jailed. ISTANBUL, May 12 (Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan's opponents say they will repair the damage done to human rights during his rule, promising a new era for democracy and freedoms if he loses power in an election on Sunday.
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