The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) calls on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling party to abide by democratic standards in the country and upholding the rule of law and human rights rather than undermining them, Hugh Williamson, the group’s Europe and Central Asia director, has said in a statement.

“The speed and scale of the arrests, including of top judges, suggests a purge rather than a process based on evidence, the statement added.

“Turkey’s citizens who took to the streets to defend democracy deserve a response that upholds the rule of law and protects media freedom, the statement read.

On July 18, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced the detention of 7,543 people, 6,038 of them soldiers allegedly involved in the coup attempt and also 755 judges and prosecutors. With the reported suspension of an additional 2,500 judges and prosecutors over two days about one-fifth of the members of Turkey’s justice system have been suspended or detained.

At the request of the prime minister’s office, about 20 news websites critical of the government have been closed down. Source: MENA