The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has released yet another biased statement regarding Turkey on 9 May 2018.

The statement questions the decision to hold elections by the Turkish Grand National Assembly representing the sovereign will of our nation, and includes unfortunate phrases imposing terms of governance for an independent state. We do not take this statement seriously which has been made on the basis of purely political motives.

In Turkey, State of Emergency measures are implemented only against terrorists and terror related circles. There are no measures restricting rights and freedoms of our citizens.

State of Emergency does not constitute an obstacle to hold democratic elections. In fact, the High Commissioner should know that the elections were also held in France during the State of Emergency. Furthermore, it was confirmed by the international observation missions that the elections in Turkey, including the referendum that took place in April 2017, were held in a democratic, free, fair and transparent manner.

We would also like to remind the High Commissioner that declaration of State of Emergency is a legal right granted to states by the international law.

We continue the necessary cooperation with international organizations for the elections to be held in 24 June in accordance with our international commitments.