Reacting to the withdrawal of the draft espionage measure – dubbed the ‘agents of influence’ law – due to be voted on in Türkiye’s parliament today, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Europe, Dinushika Dissanayake said:
“The withdrawal of this proposed amendment is an important victory for civil society in Türkiye. Had it been passed by Parliament, the new law would have curbed multiple human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and association, significantly threatening the ability of civil society organisations to operate freely and carry out their legitimate activities safely within the country. With its vague and overly broad wording, just about any criticism of government might have been within its scope and considered an aggravating offence of ‘espionage’ against the interests of the state.
Today marks a huge achievement for all those who warned opposed this bill. Whilst civil society organizations, may today breathe a sigh of relief, the danger remains that this legislation could be tabled again at any time
“It is clear that by voicing their very real concerns in a powerful and united way, Turkish civil society organizations have helped to block this dangerous move which would have had a devastating impact on their work and on society at large.
“Today marks a huge achievement for all those who warned against this bill and who opposed it from the moment it was first brought forward. Whilst human rights organizations, journalists, lawyers and other civil society actors may today breathe a sigh of relief, the danger remains that this legislation could be tabled again at any time. Turkish and international civil society organizations will no doubt remain vigilant.”
