The 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights released by the US on Tuesday in Washington chastised NATO ally Turkey for its multiple human rights violations.
The US report spotlights human rights issues—ranging from arbitrary killings and cases of torture to jailing thousands of political opponents, including journalists, human rights activists, lawyers and politicians.
The criticism also shows the deepening fault lines between the two nations over Turkey's geopolitical assertions in the region. The report only accentuates US President Joe Biden's feelings towards Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is one of the few leaders he has not spoken with since he took over office this January.
The US report talks about "significant human rights issues" and also takes up the case of thousands of supporters of Fethullah Gulen—the US-based Turk cleric who allegedly masterminded an anti-Erdogan coup in 2016.
The report says that since the failed coup in 2016, Turkey has dismissed tens of thousands of members of the police and the armed forces. As part of the action to curb forces behind the failed coup, Turkey also closed over 1,500 NGOs over terrorism allegations.
The 2020 Country Report on Turkey also says that the government has not taken adequate measures to investigate and punish members of the security forces and other erring officials accused of human rights abuses.
Regarding media freedom and relations with journalists, the report says the country has placed severe restrictions on freedom of expression; has threatened journalists; gone to the extent of prosecuting media persons and indulged in blocking websites.
Turkey has rejected the findings as "baseless". In a statement, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the country considers both Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the Gulen movement as terrorist organisations. Turkey has also criticised the US for assailing Turkish role in northern Syria, where it is involved in driving out the Kurds from near the Turkish border. Incidentally, the US is supporting the Kurds while NATO ally Turkey is using military against them.
Turkey has been in news over its decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention of 2011 which protects women. The convention had been ratified by 11 European countries to prevent violence against women and punish the perpetrators. Besides women's groups and opposition parties, even members of Erdogan's party have criticised the government for its decision.
Turkish women have been protesting for the past many years over rising violence against women.
