(Istanbul, June 12, 2013) – The Turkish government’s decision to send riot police into Taksim Square and to teargas tens of thousands of peaceful protesters has all but destroyed efforts to foster a peaceful dialogue between the government and protesters, Human Rights Watch said today. The demonstrators have been demanding an end to development of Taksim Square and Gezi Park in Istanbul.
“Teargassing tens of thousands of protesters in Taksim Square won’t end this crisis,” said Emma Sinclair-Webb, Turkey researcher at Human Rights Watch. “If Turkey is to be counted among rights-respecting countries, the police brutality has to stop and the government should talk to the protesters.”
