The organization for the protection of human rights Amnesty International (Amnesty International - AI) today accused Turkey of "arbitrarily, "unjustified and "politically motivated" dismissal of employees after the failed military coup last summer.
More than 100.000 people have been dismissed under decrees that have been in place since the state of emergency was imposed, according to the AI report.
After the failed coup on July 15, Turkey launched purges in the army, where almost half of the generals were dismissed, as well as in the judiciary, media, and education.
The AI report condemned that those dismissed were not given an explanation and that the collective dismissals were carried out "arbitrarily", for "vague and generalized motives" and for being linked to a terrorist organization.
"The competent authorities did not offer any individual explanation for the decision to dismiss, and those who were dismissed were not able to obtain it," the report states.
In addition, this NGO condemns measures that also affect trade union members, political activists and journalists.
Turkish authorities deny they are conducting a "witch hunt" claiming that extraordinary measures are needed to purge institutions of party elements.
According to AI, 33.000 teachers and employees of the Ministry of Education were fired, followed by 24.000 policemen and employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 8.000 members of the army, 5.000 university workers and about 4.000 judges, prosecutors and other members of the Ministry of Justice.
In preparing the report, AI interviewed 61 people, including 33 dismissed officials, lawyers, as well as representatives of the Turkish authorities.
Turkey has imposed a state of emergency to crack down on a network linked to the preacher Fethullah Gulen, who authorities in Ankara hold responsible for orchestrating the coup. Gulen, who is currently in exile in the US, has denied the accusations.
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