The state of emergency in Turkey ends after two years

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan marked the coup two years ago with a speech on July 15, 2018 – and the Parliament is preparing to pursue massive restrictions on human rights. civil liberties. (Image: Umit Bektas / Reuters)

(dpa) The state of emergency imposed in Turkey two years ago is over. It was not renewed and therefore expired on Thursday night (midnight CEST). President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had proclaimed the state of emergency after the attempted coup in 1945 and seven times a month for three months.

Under the state of emergency internationally criticized, fundamental rights such as freedom of assembly or freedom of the press were restricted Govern the decree. Many of his emergency decrees were directed against alleged supporters of the exile in US preacher Fethullah Gülen, the Erdogan blamed for the attempted coup. A constitutional referendum transforming the parliamentary system into a new presidential system, as well as the presidential and legislative elections of June 24, took place during this period

. The state of emergency has severely affected the lives of tens of thousands of Turks. Since the summer of 2016, at least 77,000 people have been arrested, including journalists, human rights activists and political opponents, according to official figures. Nearly 200 media companies were closed. Erdogan also fired at least 130,000 civil servants by decree, including some 4,000 judges and prosecutors, according to earlier data

Just under two weeks ago, a new decree left 18,000 teachers, police, soldiers and others without work. The mention by name in such a decree also means that the passport is confiscated. The fact that with the end of the state of emergency also arrests and dismissals stop, do not stand out. The government has already prepared for the period after new anti-terrorism regulations

Securing the power of emergency

A bill for the "fight against terror in the normal state ", which is the German news agency, regulates for example, how judges, members of the armed forces or ministry staff can be dismissed. As in the state of emergency, the state wants to deprive those who are fired of the public service because of suspected terrorism.

Two years ago, the Putschists wanted to overthrow Erdogan. Instead, the Turkish president is as powerful today as ever. – Image: On July 17, 2016, a day after the coup attempt in Turkey, supporters of President Erdogan take to the streets of Taksim Square in Istanbul. (Photo: Marius Becker / EPA)

It was a mild summer evening, the weekend was on our doorstep when the unexpected occurred July 16, 2016: aircraft from hunting were bombing Ankara and tanks were rolling through Istanbul. (Photo: Tolga Bozoglu / EPA)

During the night, Turkish military forces attempted to overthrow the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In Taksim's central square in Istanbul, there is a confrontation between the insurgent troops, the population and the police. (Photo: Sedat Suna / EPA)

The same night, supporters of Erdogan in Izmir (pictured) and other places in Turkey are protesting against the attempted coup d'etat. (Photo: Imago)

There are riots in Ankara and Istanbul. At least 270 people lost their lives during the night, more than 2180 were wounded
(Photo: AP)

The protest of the population in Ankara against the slaughtered soldiers is enormous. (Photo: Burhan Ozbilici / AP)

The day after the coup, President Erdogan's government takes firm action. Police are also using water cannons to chase insurgents off the Bosphorus Bridge. (Photo: Murad Sezer / Reuters)

Civilians also join the Turkish police. (Image: Selcuk Samiloglu / AP)

Angry, they attack the soldiers involved in the coup d'etat. (Image: Selcuk Samiloglu / AP)

Attempted coup d'etat fails. Supporters of President Erdogan celebrate the regime's resumption of power on Saturday afternoon. On the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, supporters of President Erdogan show in the pose of victory. (Photo: Murad Sezer / Reuters)

Traces of the coup attempt are clearly visible in Ankara (17 July 2016). (Photo: Hussein Malla / Keystone)

The first burials in Istanbul take place immediately for the victims. (Photo: Emrah Gurel / EPA)

Grief for the victims of the clashes in Istanbul is great. (Photo: Lefteris Pitarakis / Keystone)

President Erdogan is also dismayed at a funeral at the Fatih Mosque in Istanbul (July 17, 2016). – Saturday morning, Erdogan appeared to the public and said that the coup attempt failed. He announces tough measures against those responsible. (Photo: Emrah Gurel / AP)

Erdogan insists again and again, as he said on August 7, 2016 in Istanbul, that the attempted coup d'etat was "at the end of have a blessing from God. " He imposed a state of emergency that allows him to govern by decree. Immediately the so-called cleaning of Erdogan begins and continues today. (Photo: Kayhan Ozer / Keystone)

More than 100,000 state employees have been suspended or released since the coup attempt and more than 50,000 people were fired. (Photo: Emilio Morenatti / AP)

A year later, the government organized the crackdown on the coup d'etat as a holiday of democracy, while the opposition warned against a dictatorship . – Image: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visits the "Martyr Cemetery" in the Edirnekapi district of Istanbul on July 11, 2017. (Photo: Presidential Press Office / AP)

When Tanks Crossed Istanbul

Provincial governors should at least keep some of their power out of the state of emergency. They are empowered under the bill to deny access to certain places to people suspected of "disrupting public order or security." In addition, they should continue to restrict freedom of assembly. Suspects can be held in custody between 48 hours and 12 days – longer than before the start of the emergency.

Some anti-government media had warned that the government wanted to make the state of emergency under another permanent name with new regulations. The ruling party spokesman, AKP President Erdogan, Mahir Üncal, said on Wednesday that he would pay attention to "the balance between freedom and security". According to the bill, the law is supposed to be valid for three years after it comes into force.