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Cem Özdemir, Member of the Green Party, criticizes the German government's lack of support for democratic organizations in Turkey.
"It is shameful that the German government does not consider it necessary to take additional measures to support Turkish civil society," Özdemir told WELT.
Previously, in response to a request from Özdemir, which WELT has received, the federal government only vaguely commented on its own commitment to the rule of law in Turkey.
It says that there is a close dialogue with local and international non-governmental organizations in Turkey, including German political foundations.
In a conversation between the Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on January 18 in Ankara, the “situation of human rights and the rule of law in Turkey” was addressed.
Özdemir told WELT: "While the Turkish defense minister was traveling to Germany this week for a charm offensive, Erdogan is tightening the thumbscrews of the opposition in Turkey and has unabashedly peaceful demonstrators arrested." Above all, there is a lack of political solidarity.
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On Tuesday, Federal Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU) received the Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar in Berlin.
Kramp-Karrenbauer later spoke of a "special and good signal among allies".
Turkey is and will remain an important NATO partner.
With a view to civil society in Turkey, Özdemir said: "Instead of sticking to its policy of appeasement, the Federal Government should say very clearly to Erdogan: If he really wants a rapprochement, he cannot deal with our partners like that." Civil society is "our bridge." in the pro-European part of Turkish society.
That's another reason why we can't just let them down. "
Turkey takes action against students and foundations
According to the Turkish Interior Ministry on Thursday, more than 500 people have been arrested in nationwide student protests since January.
It began with the demonstrations in Istanbul, where people took to the streets against the appointment of a conservative rector by President Erdogan.
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The Turkish judiciary continues to crack down on critics of the current AKP government.
The public prosecutor's office recently accused the patron of culture Osman Kavala of concealing secret service work with his foundation.
Foreign intelligence services are using foundations in Turkey to try to covertly exert influence.
Kavala has been in custody for three years, despite the European Court of Human Rights orders to release the accused immediately.
In December, the Turkish National Assembly passed a controversial new NGO law.
It allows the Minister of the Interior to appoint members of civil law organizations if they are being investigated on terrorist charges.
Since the attempted coup in summer 2016, such investigations have increased.
The law also provides for strict controls for non-governmental organizations and foundations, as well as the possibility of freezing donations on suspicion of “terrorist financing and money laundering”.
The new rules also apply to international organizations.