The Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland today reacted to growing tensions between Turkey and several other Council of Europe member states:
"The situation is now damaging to diplomacy and democracy. We cannot allow it to escalate any further.
All Turkish citizens, inside and outside of the country, should have ample opportunity to be informed about the pros and cons of proposed constitutional amendments and to engage in an open, fair and inclusive discussion in the referendum campaign.
Campaign events abroad require close cooperation between the Turkish authorities and their foreign counterparts. All sides involved should agree on the modalities of such events through constructive dialogue and with sufficient time to allow for necessary administrative preparations.
All public meetings and political campaigns held in Council of Europe member states should be conducted in accordance with national legislation and the European Convention on Human Rights," he said.
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