Venezuela and Turkey

Vince Cable is right to condemn Jeremy Corbyn's tacit acceptance of Venezuela's slide towards dictatorship. We should also condemn those conservative politicians from David Cameron on (not to mention ex-communists) who want a closer relationship with a Turkey which is on a similar path.

Last month, the EU issued a statement:

On 15 July 2016, the people of Turkey witnessed a coup attempt that claimed the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians and left more than 2,000 people injured. One year later, the EU reiterates its condemnation of the attempted coup, as it did during the very first hours of that dramatic night of 15 July 2016, and recalls its full support to the democratically elected institutions of the country. The EU stands in solidarity with Turkey and all the Turkish people. Respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law are essential principles of the European Union. They embody both the foundations of our relationship and the aspirations of the people of Turkey and the European Union. As a key partner and a candidate country and as a member of the Council of Europe, Turkey has subscribed to these principles. Turkey has the right to bring the individual perpetrators of this coup attempt to justice in strict compliance with the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. The EU stands ready and willing to continue to work with a stable, economically vibrant and democratic Turkey. To this end, and in the framework of the EU's engagement with Turkey, a High Level Political Dialogue will be held in Brussels on 25 July at which representatives of the EU and of Turkey will discuss areas of shared interest and common challenges.

I believe access to cheap fridges and Transit vans is too high a price for continuing to deal with an increasingly fascistic régime. The mass arrests sweeping up virtually all public defenders of individual freedom concern UN's spokesman on human rights even if they do not bother the EU's representative on foreign affairs. Surely not only should talks about joining the EU be suspended, but also Turkey's associate member status should be looked at until total democracy has been restored.