Canada concerned about Turkish emergency state, possible death penalty comeback
OTTAWA — Canada has expressed sharp concerns over Turkey’s imposition of a three-month state of emergency and reports that it may reintroduce the death penalty in response to last week’s botched coup attempt.
“Canada supports a democratic Turkey and respects the need for thorough investigations and prosecutions against the perpetrators of the recent attempted coup,” Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion said in a statement released Wednesday night.
“This must be done in accordance with Turkish and international law. Given this imperative, Canada is concerned by the state of emergency declared by President Erdogan today.”
Dion also said Canada is equally troubled by reports of the firings and detentions of tens of thousands of people, including members of the judiciary, public servants, teachers, academics, members of civil society and the media.