BASEL, Switzerland – The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has voted in favor of re-opening monitoring procedures in Turkey. The assembly's monitoring committee raised concerns over constitutional amendments that were approved this month in a national referendum amid a state of emergency.
Turkey rapporteur Marianne Mikko said Tuesday the amendments, which significantly expand the powers of the presidency, "do not comply with our fundamental and common understanding of democracy."
She stressed that the monitoring process is not "punishment" but a bid to strengthen dialogue with Turkey.
The committee was critical of the atmosphere ahead of the referendum and of emergency decrees after the failed coup attempt in July 2016.
The committee pointed to the detention of parliamentarians and journalists and the sweeping dismissals of civil servants allegedly linked to the coup.
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