Erdogan at Anti-Coup Demonstration: If the People Want, the Death Penalty Will Return

According to reports, over one million people participated in a rally in Istanbul against the failed coup in Turkey, where the President of Turkey emphasized that if "the nation decides [to reinstate] the death penalty," he will support it. Erdogan's speech on August 9 is a reiteration of his previous statements made in the days following the coup attempt on July 15. The Turkish President stated on Sunday that if the people demand the return of the death penalty, he believes political parties in parliament will also accept this decision. He added, "I say from now, I will accept the decision that parliament [makes in this regard]." Reports of Erdogan's statements do not clarify the criteria for gauging public opinion on reinstating the death penalty. The Justice and Development Party, which Erdogan led before his presidency, holds a majority in the Turkish parliament. The Turkish President also criticized European critics of reinstating the death penalty and the related preconditions for not executing it for EU membership, stating that this penalty is also enforced in countries like the United States, Japan, or China. The abolition of the death penalty is one of the primary human rights prerequisites for EU membership. The last execution in Turkey occurred in 1984, but the death penalty remained in the country's criminal laws for another 20 years. However, this is not the first time the Turkish President has spoken about executions, and all these statements have gained more significance following the failed coup, recent arrests, and purges. On July 17, the Turkish President told his supporters, who chanted "execution, execution" regarding the coup perpetrators, that "the people's request cannot be ignored... It is your right." The next day, in an interview with CNN, he said, "People in the streets have raised this request... People believe that these terrorists must be killed." His reference to terrorists pertains to those involved in the coup against the government. Ankara claims that Fethullah Gülen and the movement stemming from his ideas, which Turkey considers a "terrorist group," instigated the coup. Gülen has denied these accusations and has counter-accused Erdogan of "staging." Erdogan also emphasized at the August 9 rally that the "terrorist group" of Gülen will be "destroyed using the law." Western countries and human rights organizations have expressed their criticism and concern regarding the reactions to the coup. Ankara has rejected these criticisms, claiming they are taking actions to strengthen democracy. The government has arrested or dismissed thousands of soldiers, judges, lawyers, and civil servants. Simultaneously, coordinated actions have been taken to increase government control over supranational organizations such as the military and its security organization. A group of journalists has also been arrested, and several publications and news networks have been seized or blocked. The purges have even affected the Justice and Development Party itself. Hours before Erdogan's presence at the rally in Istanbul, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz stated that Vienna would oppose any actions aimed at bringing Turkey closer to EU membership. The Turkish President also harshly criticized some European countries, especially Germany, at the Sunday demonstration, accusing Berlin of "feeding terrorists" and threatening that "one day they will return to strike at them (Germany)." In Germany, the leader of the Free Democratic Party compared Erdogan's behavior to that of Adolf Hitler, the leader of Nazi Germany.