„Death penalty is brutal and fundamentally unjust. We are deeply worried that the Turkish leadership is promoting the idea of re-introducing it. We call on the government for maximum restraint and caution in the aftermath of the attempted coup. Any step in the direction of reintroducing the death penalty could harm the relations between Turkey and the EU. Rejecting the death penalty is a specific request to all the countries which apply for EU membership.”, said PES President Sergei Stanishev.

The Party of European Socialists would like to express its concern about the thousands of suspensions in the military, in the police, in the justice system following the attempted coup in Turkey. The PES is worried the most about the debate on the re-introduction of the death penalty, initiated by the Turkish Government.

„Any attempt of a power grab through major constitutional changes will push Turkey farther away from the EU and will jeopardize a much needed reconciliation in Turkey.”, added Stanishev.

PES leader expressed his deepest condolences for the death of the deputy mayor of Istanbul Cemil Candas. He send a condolence letter to the leader of CHP Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.

 

„There is no belief, faith or reason that could ever justify such an act. Our family will continue to stands for democracy, human rights and firmly be against any form of violence.”, stated Stanishev in the letter.