France: Protests in Paris over Erdogan visit January 5

Event

Protests took place in Paris on Friday, January 5, against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is in the country to hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. Around 30 activists protested in front of the Turkish Embassy in Paris, displaying images of journalists detained in Turkey. Around 12 other protesters, including ethnic Kurdish people, attempted to reach Élysée Palace to hold a related demonstration before police diverted them to a side street. Additional protests, a heightened security presence, and consequent transportation disruptions near the Turkish Embassy in Paris and Élysée Palace are possible in the coming hours.

Among the topics expected to be discussed by the leaders at Élysée Palace are developments in Syria and EU-Turkey relations. Macron is also expected to voice concerns over recent arrests of thousands of people - including civil servants, opposition politicians, and journalists, among others - since the failed coup attempt in 2016.

Context

Turkey has faced mounting international pressure due to alleged human rights abuses linked to a crackdown on individuals accused of involvement in the failed coup of 2016. A national state of emergency has been in place since immediately after the attempted coup, during which time nearly 150,000 people have been fired or forced to resign from their jobs, and over 60,000 people have been arrested. Critics have repeatedly denounced the increasing restrictions of political freedom and human rights violations, and accuse the government of using national security as an excuse to suppress political opposition. Meanwhile, the Turkish government continues to affirm that such measures are necessary due to prevailing security threats in the country.

Advice

Individuals in Paris are advised to avoid all protests as a precaution and to anticipate potential transportation disruptions surrounding the Turkish Embassy and Élysée Palace in the coming hours.