Key facts
- Turkish authorities arrested 225 individuals, including academics and activists, ahead of the NATO summit.
- Public gatherings, exams, and press conferences have been banned in Ankara.
- Dozens of independent journalists have been denied accreditation to the summit.
- NATO is in contact with Turkish authorities regarding journalist accreditations.
- Press freedom groups have called on NATO to ensure transparency in accreditation decisions.
Turkish authorities have initiated a significant crackdown, including hundreds of arrests and the banning of protests, in the lead-up to the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara. Campaigners and rights groups accuse President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government of using the summit as a pretext to suppress civil society and media freedoms.
On Tuesday, Turkish police detained 225 individuals, identified as academics, teachers, and activists, on suspicion of links to militant groups. Among those detained was a 79-year-old environmental campaigner. The city of Ankara has also imposed a ban on public gatherings, exams, and press conferences, deploying 40,000 police officers to the capital.
Furthermore, dozens of independent Turkish journalists have been denied accreditation to the July 7-8 leaders’ summit without explanation. Uraz Kaspar, a journalist and member of the International Press Institute (IPI), noted that some denied accreditation work for outlets critical of President Erdoğan. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart stated the alliance relies on host nations for journalist assessments and is in contact with Turkish authorities regarding accreditations, emphasizing the importance of media attendance.
However, campaigners argue that NATO should not abdicate its responsibility to uphold its own standards. The IPI, along with 14 press freedom organizations, has written to NATO chief Mark Rutte, requesting a reconsideration of the accreditation denials and transparency regarding the reasons for exclusion. Journalists like Işın Eliçin, whose accreditation was denied, highlighted that unexplained exclusions restrict media freedom and public access to information.
Human Rights Watch and European Parliament officials have also voiced concerns. Ben Ward of Human Rights Watch urged NATO officials to condemn Turkey's repressive approach, stating it is incompatible with the alliance's professed values of democracy and human rights. A NATO diplomat commented that the summit should not be used as an excuse for a crackdown, and that these issues are raised in bilateral contacts. Nacho Sánchez Amor of the European Parliament criticized the situation, suggesting it was not a priority for NATO leadership.