EXCESSIVE police force against demonstrators "has no place" in a democracy, European Union Enlargement Commissioner, Stefan Fule, told Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday, urging a probe into a week of violent unrest in Turkey, a long-time EU hopeful.
"Peaceful demonstrations constitute a legitimate way for these groups to express their views in a democratic society. Excessive use of force by police against these demonstrations has no place in such a democracy," Fule said at a conference in Istanbul, calling for those responsible to be held to account.
Meanwhile, the Union has restated its support for Turkey's bid to join the bloc despite a week of violent unrest that has raised concerns about rights abuses by police, Fule reassured.
"Let me call on Turkey not to give up on its values of freedom and fundamental rights. And let me assure you that we, on our side, have no intention to give up on Turkey´s EU accession," he told the Turkish PM in a televised gathering.
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