Destinations

Turkey Declares State of Emergency

turkey-small-July22

The turmoil in Turkey continues with news that president Tayyip Erdogan has declared a state of emergency in the country in the wake of last week’s failed coup attempt by some members of the military.

The state of emergency as it stands will last for three months and allows the president and his cabinet to bypass parliamentary protocols and approval when drafting new laws and suspending rights and freedoms. This follows the arrest and/or sacking of thousands of people, including members of the military, state workers and teachers who have been declared complicit in or supportive of the coup.

Erdogan stated that move was designed only to further that agenda and would not affect the everyday lives of citizens. Canada’s department of Global Affairs is warning against “non-essential travel” to Turkey and many tourism companies, including cruise lines, have suspended programs to the eastern Mediterranean nation.