Amnesty International (AI) on Monday condemned [press release] Turkey’s decision to issue arrest warrants for 42 journalists following the recent coup attempt. AI’s Deputy Director for Europe, Gauri van Gulik, claimed that “by rounding up journalists” the government “is failing to make a distinction between criminal acts and legitimate criticism”. AI’s latest condemnations come a day after it announced [press release] that it had gathered “credible evidence” that detainees are being subjected to torture in “official and unofficial detention centres in the country.” According to the human rights organization, there are credible reports that detainees are being forced to maintain “stress positions” for up to 48 hours and are being denied food, water and medical treatment and are being subjected to severe beatings, rape and other torture. More than 10,000 people have been detained since the attempted coup, and AI’s Deputy Director for Europe called on Turkey to allow for freedom of the press and end the most recent clampdown on human rights following the failed coup.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has vowed that those involved in the coup [JURIST report] will “pay a heavy price.” Last week Erdogan ordered [JURIST report] the closure of thousands of private schools, charities and other institutions. Also last week Erdogan stated [JURIST report] that he would approve reinstating the death penalty so long as the measure had sufficient support in the Grand National Assembly.