Democracy Alert: Turkey

A civic call for
rule of law and democratic pluralism

LEGAL HARASSMENT AND LAWFARE ARE UNDERMINING DEMOCRATIC COMPETITION

Turkey’s Democratic Opposition Under Attack

Since 2019, pressure on the opposition has gradually expanded from attempts to reverse electoral outcomes to lawfare against Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, opposition-led municipalities and, ultimately, the elected leadership of Turkey’s main opposition party.

AT A GLANCE

What began as an electoral reversal attempt in Istanbul has widened into a broader pattern of legal harassment and lawfare aimed at preventing the opposition from consolidating itself as a real governing alternative.

Follow the escalation From Istanbul’s 2019 election to pressure on Turkey’s main opposition party.
Why It Matters

Why Democracy in Turkey Matters

Turkey’s democratic future has regional and international consequences. Turkey is a Council of Europe member, an EU candidate country, a strong NATO ally and a strategic partner. When democratic competition is eliminated, democratic institutions and national governments across the world should speak up.

The Bigger Picture

This is not only about one party

It’s about democratic competition, the rule of law, and public memory — the foundations that any healthy democracy depends on.

Democratic competition

Elections lose meaning if courts and administrative bodies are used to remove or weaken opposition choices.

Rule of law

International attention matters when legal processes become tools of political engineering.

Public memory

A structured archive keeps the record visible, searchable and shareable across languages.

Take Action

If you live in the EU, you can raise your voice.

Send a prepared message to Members of the European Parliament — it takes a minute and helps keep this issue on their radar.

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Demokratik Türkiye Hareketi

Biz Kimiz

Demokratik Türkiye Hareketi, Türkiye’den göç eden ve yurt dışında yaşayan demokrasi savunucularını bir araya getiren, gönüllülük esasına dayalı sivil bir inisiyatiftir. Amacımız hukukun üstünlüğünün, demokratik çoğulculuğun ve halkın iradesinin sesini dünya geneline duyurmaktır.

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