NATO chief Stoltenberg highlights importance of protest in democracy amid Turkey summit restrictions

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg underscored the fundamental importance of the right to protest in a democracy during his visit to Ankara. Speaking ahead of the NATO leaders' summit, Stoltenberg stated, "democracy is also that people are able to organize demonstrations, if they wish." He also stressed that a free press is vital, noting, "democracy is also the free press. You in this room. That you can ask everything you want, write the articles you want, do your research." His comments, however, did not directly address Turkey's ban on protests during the summit or the recent detentions of activists. Turkish authorities have reportedly arrested over 200 people in recent days, with fears they might protest the summit. The opposition leader, Özgür Özel, called the detentions a "disgrace," criticizing the government for making life difficult for its own citizens due to the presence of foreign leaders. Stoltenberg also alluded to concerns about media access, stating it is "very important for NATO that the media can attend the big meetings in person," in a likely reference to Turkish journalists critical of the government being denied accreditation for the summit.

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democracy is more than just elections. Elections are of course crucial in a democracy, but democracy is also the free press. You in this room. That you can ask everything you want, write the articles you want, do your research. And of course democracy is also that people are able to organize demonstrations, if they wish.