Turkey: Netherlands gives asylum to first Turks after attempted coup against Erdogan Government-byJanene Pieters

The Netherlands granted asylum to the first Turks who applied for protection after an attempted coup in Turkey last year. At least eight alleged Gulen-supporters who face persecution in Turkey now have asylum in the Netherlands, Wil Eikelboom of the association of asylum lawyers VAjN said to the ANP press agency.

The number of Turkish asylum applications in the Netherlands increased sharply following the attempted coup.

In 2016 a total of 235 applications were received, and 309 so far this year. In 2015 there were only 56. The Turkish government and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hold Fethullah Gulen and his followers responsible for the attempted coup. In the months that followed, numerous alleged Gulen supporters were arrested and face prosecution.

The Ministry of Security and Justice confirmed to ANP that asylum was granted to Turks, but refused to comment on the nature of the applications. A spokesperson also said that a number of applications
were rejected. "There is no separate policy for asylum applications from nTurkey. All requests are carefully reviewed and evaluated individually."

Read more: Netherlands gives asylum to first Turks after attempted coup | NL Times

Turkey: - Egypt: The Slow Slide Toward Dictatorship Taking Place in Egypt and Turkey

Supporters of the governments of Egypt and Turkey have become adept at telling the world that under presidents Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Recep Tayyip Erdogan respectively, these countries are making progress toward more open and just
political systems.

In reality, they are nothing more than tin-pot dictatorships.< Over the weekend, Egyptian authorities detained, questioned, and deported my friend and colleague Michele Dunne as she sought to enter Egypt at the invitation of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs.

Michele, who is the most well-respected Egypt analyst in Washington, has not been shy in her criticism of the Egyptian government.

Not to be outdone, yesterday the Turks arrested 27 people including journalists, TV producers, and police commanders on terrorism charges. All of the detainees are either members or suspected members of the Gulen movement.

Fethullah Gulen and his followers were at one time allied with Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party, working together, for example, to subordinate the armed forces to civilian leaders, though at the expense of the rule of law and due process.

Note EU-Digest: the economies of both Egypt and Turkey have also taken a hit and are expected decline even more. The number of unemployed has also steadily increased in both countries.

 read more: The Slow Slide Toward Dictatorship Taking Place in Egypt and Turkey - Defense One