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UN chief voices concern over Turkey situation

Xinhua, July 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday voiced his concern over Turkey situation, but he said that he "trusts the government and people of Turkey will transform this moment of uncertainty into a moment of unity," a UN spokesman told reporters here.

When speaking over the phone with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, the secretary-general "expressed his concern over the extent of the recent governmental decree regarding the implementation of the state of emergency, which enlists a number of measures restricting the full exercise of individual rights," Farhan Haq, the deputy UN spokesman, said at a daily news briefing here.

Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared state of emergency for three months following a failed coup attempt on July 15, which was crushed the next day.

At least 290 people, including more than 100 "coup plotters," were killed, authorities said.

While recognizing the extraordinary circumstances prevailing in the country following the coup attempt, the secretary-general expressed his expectation that Turkey adhere to its international human rights obligations, upholding fundamental rights and universal principles, including the freedom of expression, freedom of movement and peaceful assembly, independence of the judiciary and of the legal profession, right to fair trial and strict adherence to due process, Haq said.

Ban welcomed the announced release of 1,200 military detainees, but also noted worrying reports of mistreatment and abuse of some of those who are still in custody and their detention conditions, the spokesman said.

The UN chief also underscored his deep concern about the scope of continuing widespread arrests, detentions and suspensions, which reportedly cover many segments of Turkish society and government institutions, Haq said.

"Heartened by the government and opposition rallying around upholding the republic, the secretary-general trusts that the Government and people of Turkey will transform this moment of uncertainty into a moment of unity, preserving Turkey's democracy," he added. Endit