Turkish Insights Policy Dialogue with :
Savaş Genç
Professor of International Relations & Political Science, Fatih University
Welat Zeydanlıoğlu
Founder & Coordinator, Kurdish Studies Network
Selçuk Gültaşlı
Journalist, Brussels Bureau Chief, Zaman Newspaper
Kati Piri
Member of European Parliament, Rapporteur on Turkey
Amanda Paul
Senior Policy Analyst, EuropeanPolicy Centre (Moderator)
EPC Auditorium, Rue du Trône 14-16, 1000 Brussels
15.00-17.00 (registration from 14.40)
Turkey is currently facing multiple challenges both domestically and in its foreign policy. Apart from the impact of the ongoing crisis in Syria and the subsequent refugee crisis, its security is threatened by war in the Southeast of the country. Since a two-year ceasefire between the state and the terrorist Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) collapsed in July 2015, intense urban fighting and round-the-clock curfews have left entire neigbourhoods empty and in ruins. While Turkey has every right to protect its security and territorial integrity against terrorism, at the same time, concerns are being raised by a number of human rights watchdogs regarding the deteriorating human rights situation. Objections have also been raised at the increasing crackdown on civil liberties and freedoms, including the recent seizure of Zaman newspaper and ongoing arrests of numerous journalists, academics and others.
A panel of experts will analyse the situation on the ground in Turkey, the prospects for the future and possible responses from the international community, in particular the EU.
European Policy Centre
Tel : 02 231 03 40
www.epc.eu
