Turkey

Commenting on reports that Turkish prime minister Erdogan has blocked the use of the social media website Twitter, Hélène Flautre, co-chair of the EU-Turkey joint parliamentary committee said:

"The move by Erdogan to block Twitter is an absurd attack on fundamental rights and freedoms in Turkey. This latest anti-democratic manoeuvre only compounds concerns about the new internet law, which finds here its first application. There was already major concern about the crisis hitting the democratic institutions in Turkey, with revelations of alleged intervention in media and the judiciary by the government. We would strongly urge the EU to engage immediately with the Turkish authorities to prevent further democratic backsliding ahead of the forthcoming elections."

Turkey spokesperson Ska Keller added:

"In blocking Twitter, Erdogan is also blocking the freedom of expression in Turkey. It is a clear attack on democracy with the single aim of silencing all criticism against him. The Commission should send out a strong message to the Turkish government that undermining freedom of expression is not acceptable."