ISTANBUL, September 8
Turkey is facing a new wave of repression under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with critics warning that basic democratic freedoms are being steadily dismantled.
In recent days, dozens of citizens have been detained over activity on social media — including simply “liking” posts critical of the government. Rights groups describe the arrests as part of a broader climate of fear that discourages dissent both online and in public life. The move follows heavy police raids on opposition party headquarters in Istanbul and temporary blocks on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, X and WhatsApp, imposed to stifle protest footage.
____
Read More:
Erdoğan’s War on Democracy
____
The crackdown is resonating beyond politics. Business circles report that foreign investors are accelerating plans to exit the Turkish market. Several international companies, citing concerns over property rights, legal security and freedom of expression, have begun moving operations or capital to neighboring countries. Analysts say the exodus signals a deep erosion of confidence in Turkey as a safe environment for global business.
Opposition leaders argue that the combination of mass arrests, curbs on free media, and restrictions on fair elections has transformed the country’s political system into what they describe as “one-man rule.” The government insists its actions are necessary to maintain order, but international watchdogs increasingly classify Turkey as a hybrid or authoritarian regime.
“Dark times for Turkey continue,” one Istanbul-based political scientist told independent media. “Without free elections, without respect for business property and the media, the country risks isolating itself from both its citizens and the world economy.”
The coming weeks will be a test of whether Erdoğan can contain domestic unrest without further alienating Turkey’s allies and investors. But for many Turks, the immediate reality is one of tightening censorship, diminishing freedoms, and growing uncertainty about the nation’s democratic future.
