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In a speech today, Prime Minister Erdogan seemed to suggest that the excessive force thus far employed by Turkish security forces would only intensify going forward, warning that the protests would be ended within 24 hours: “We have not responded to punches with punches. From now on security forces will respond differently.”

Amnesty International researcher Andrew Gardner, responded:

Prime Minister’s Erdogan’s outrageous statement is nothing short of a provocation, only likely to lead to more violence and more injured protesters, particularly as fresh demonstrations are planned this evening in Taksim Square and elsewhere.

It is high time for the international community, and in particular EU countries, to intervene by urging the Turkish government to enter into a meaningful dialogue with the protesters in order to de-escalate the situation and bring and end to the appalling levels of violence we have witnessed in the last two weeks.

© Gencer Yurttaş/ NarPhotos Used by permission