Turkey: Turkish High Court Closes the Democratic Society Party

Question Taken at the December 11, 2009 daily press briefing

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman - For Immediate Release     

December 11, 2009
2009/1266

Question:   What is the reaction to the closure of the Democratic Society Party by the Turkish Constitutional Court?

Answer: 

The ruling of the Constitutional Court is a matter internal to Turkey, and we would not comment on the specifics of the ruling itself. However, we believe that Turkey's democratic system should continue to advance political freedoms for all its citizens.  Measures that limit or restrain these freedoms should be exercised with extreme caution.

We encourage the Government of Turkey to continue its efforts to ensure that all Turkish citizens fully exercise the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.  We encourage all political actors in Turkey to pursue reconciliation, reflect democratic values, and refrain from the use or encouragement of violence.