Emergency State Opens Up Possibility for More Repressions in Turkey

German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said that it is necessary to make sure that the state of emergency in Turkey lasts a limited period of time.

BERLIN (Sputnik) — The introduction of a state of emergency in Turkey grants the opportunity for further governmental repressive measures against citizens, German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Friday.

The state of emergency, which gives Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the ability to enact new laws by decree bypassing the nation’s legislature, was declared earlier this week following a failed coup attempt.

"The introduction of a state of emergency, of course, facilitates the further repressive measures," Seibert told reporters.

According to Seibert, it is necessary to make sure that the state of emergency lasts a limited period of time.

Turkey suspended the European Convention on Human Rights on Thursday after a 1.5-month state of emergency entered into force following last week's attempted coup.

Turkey has since jailed about 10,000 people and fired tens of thousands of government employees, including judges, civil servants and educators. Turkish leadership, including Erdogan, has floated the idea of re-introducing the death penalty to punish suspected perpetrators of the failed attempt to overthrow the government.