EU-Turkey Refugee Deal Shaken By Oppressive Turkish Laws
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan refuses to change its laws regarding "terrorism" arrests - which according to local political leaders - are being twisted to the Turkish government's intentions to shut down opposition from the media to political parties and leaders.
Turkey considers the Pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) as a terrorist group whose actions cause disharmony in the country. Turkish forces and HDP mobs have met in several clashes. About 11 people have died from the clashes.
According to anonymous Turkish senior officials, the EU-Turkey refugee deal was scrapped shortly after Erdogan signed a new law that would further its powers in closing down newspaper and media outlets and arresting political leaders for possible sedition.
The HDP, considered a terrorist group due to its ties to the PKK, has 59 seats in the Turkish Parliament. According to political analysts, the party's success in the first two general elections in the country had infuriated Erdogan. This had led to an escalation in action against the PKK.
HDP leaders said they frequently faced police intimidation, prosecution and arrests for vocally supporting Kurdish rights.
Turkey's EU accession is delayed as it had failed to qualify for free visa travel and bringing its terror laws in line with Europe as part of its bargain.
However, Erdogan warned that EU should fulfil its end of the deal or else it would face their own troubles from the Middle East to "leave you alone with your problems."
