Erdogan defends handling of protests

Ivan Watson and Gul Tuysuz, CNN
6 minute read
Updated 10:01 AM EDT, Fri June 7, 2013
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to the deputies of his ruling Justice and Development Party during a meeting with Turkish parliament on Tuesday, June 18. Erdogan said he had no intention of restricting anyone's democratic rights. "If you want to make a protest do it, do it, but do it within the framework of law," he said.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to the deputies of his ruling Justice and Development Party during a meeting with Turkish parliament on Tuesday, June 18. Erdogan said he had no intention of restricting anyone's democratic rights. "If you want to make a protest do it, do it, but do it within the framework of law," he said.
ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images
Turkish performance artist Erdem Gunduz, center, is joined by others as he makes his silent protest in Taksim Square. As word of his gesture of protest spread, Gunduz became known as the "standing man." Protests that began as a <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/17/world/europe/turkey-protests/index.html">demonstration against the planned demolition of a park</a> have grown into general anti-government dissent across the nation.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Turkish performance artist Erdem Gunduz, center, is joined by others as he makes his silent protest in Taksim Square. As word of his gesture of protest spread, Gunduz became known as the "standing man." Protests that began as a demonstration against the planned demolition of a park have grown into general anti-government dissent across the nation.
MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images
People carry the coffin of Ethem Sarisuluk, who was killed during recent protests in Turkey, on Sunday, June 16, in Ankara.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
People carry the coffin of Ethem Sarisuluk, who was killed during recent protests in Turkey, on Sunday, June 16, in Ankara.
ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images
Tens of thousands attend a rally to hear Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speak in Istanbul on June 16, a day after he ordered a crackdown on anti-government protesters at Gezi Park.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Tens of thousands attend a rally to hear Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speak in Istanbul on June 16, a day after he ordered a crackdown on anti-government protesters at Gezi Park.
stringer/AFP/Getty Images)
A protester faces water cannons during a clash with police at an anti-government demonstration in Ankara on June 16.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
A protester faces water cannons during a clash with police at an anti-government demonstration in Ankara on June 16.
ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images
Police walk through tear gas during protests at Kizilay Square in central Ankara on June 16.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Police walk through tear gas during protests at Kizilay Square in central Ankara on June 16.
DADO RUVIC/reuters/LANDOV
Police detain protesters after a crackdown on a demonstration at Istanbul's Gezi Park on June 16.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Police detain protesters after a crackdown on a demonstration at Istanbul's Gezi Park on June 16.
Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images
A protester runs during clashes between riot police and demonstrators in the streets adjacent to Taksim Square in Istanbul on Sunday, June 16.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
A protester runs during clashes between riot police and demonstrators in the streets adjacent to Taksim Square in Istanbul on Sunday, June 16.
BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images
A protester throws a tear gas canister back at riot police during clashes near Taksim Square on June 16.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
A protester throws a tear gas canister back at riot police during clashes near Taksim Square on June 16.
BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images
Trash containers burn in front of riot police forces in Ankara, Turkey, on June 16.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Trash containers burn in front of riot police forces in Ankara, Turkey, on June 16.
ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters gather in the main shopping street near Taksim Square in the early morning hours of June 16 as riot police clear Gezi Park in Istanbul.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Protesters gather in the main shopping street near Taksim Square in the early morning hours of June 16 as riot police clear Gezi Park in Istanbul.
Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images
Turkish riot police officers use rubber bullets on June 15 to disperse demonstrators in Gezi Park in Istanbul on June 15.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Turkish riot police officers use rubber bullets on June 15 to disperse demonstrators in Gezi Park in Istanbul on June 15.
MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters scramble for safety as Turkish riot police officers push them out of Gezi Park using tear gas and rubber bullets.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Protesters scramble for safety as Turkish riot police officers push them out of Gezi Park using tear gas and rubber bullets.
MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters run for cover as riot police spray them with a water cannon on June 15.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Protesters run for cover as riot police spray them with a water cannon on June 15.
MURAD SEZER/Reuters/LANDOV
A protester throws rocks at police during clashes at the entrance of Gezi Park on June 15.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
A protester throws rocks at police during clashes at the entrance of Gezi Park on June 15.
YANNIS BEHRAKIS/Reuters/LANDOV
A protester on June 15, reacts in pain to a salvo of tear gas fired by Turkish riot police chasing out demonstrators in order to dismantle their tent camp in Gezi Park in Istanbul.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
A protester on June 15, reacts in pain to a salvo of tear gas fired by Turkish riot police chasing out demonstrators in order to dismantle their tent camp in Gezi Park in Istanbul.
MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images
Riot police move in a line through the tent camp on June 15.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Riot police move in a line through the tent camp on June 15.
MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters escape from tear gas during the crackdown at Gezi Park on June 15.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Protesters escape from tear gas during the crackdown at Gezi Park on June 15.
Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images
Protestors fire fireworks as police drive them out of Gezi Park on June 15.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Protestors fire fireworks as police drive them out of Gezi Park on June 15.
Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images
Protesters sleep in Gezi Park in Istanbul's Taksim Square early Thursday, June 13. Turkey's prime minister on Thursday called on protesters camped out in the park to pack up and leave.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
Protesters sleep in Gezi Park in Istanbul's Taksim Square early Thursday, June 13. Turkey's prime minister on Thursday called on protesters camped out in the park to pack up and leave.
YANNIS BEHRAKIS/Reuters/LANDOV
A man plays piano for hundreds of protesters in Taksim Square on Wednesday, June 12, in Istanbul.
Demonstrations in Turkey —
A man plays pia