Turkey’s current President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was re-elected this past Sunday, with state media announcing that he received an “absolute majority of all valid votes.” Erdogan’s party, the Justice and Development Party (AKP), also had a sweeping electoral win and will hold the majority of seats in the parliament. Under Erdogan, Turkey’s government has shifted towards authoritarianism, and human rights abuses are likely to continue during Erdogan’s second term.

Despite his popularity, Erdogan’s presidency was accompanied by mass rights abuses. Following a failed coup in 2016, the state declared a state of emergency and violently cracked down on the opposition. The government has closed hundreds of media outlets and other private organizations. Erdogan has also targeted citizens accused of ties to terrorist organizations. Amnesty International estimates that over 150,000 have laid off and 50,000 have been arrested in connection with the coup. Journalists, academics, and rights activists have been targeted and detainees often lack access to basic services; they are the subject to mistreatment ranging from threats to torture and death. The Human Rights Association received over 400 complaints of abuse in custody, with the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey receiving over 500 separate complaints. Separate from the coup, Turkey has cracked down on pro-Kurdish forces, suspending democratically-elected mayors and resuming armed conflict with Kurds.

Although Erdogan’s supporters praise him for Turkey’s economic gains and for crackdowns on terrorists, the benefits of his presidency will not be evenly spread. Erdogan will continue to suppress civil society and target the opposition. Without a free and independent media, there cannot be a legitimate democracy. Oppositional organizations must be allowed to present a credible alternative to Erdogan. Political protections are especially important for the Kurdish minority, who face discrimination and violence. Erdogan will continue to enjoy widespread support if the media is not allowed to report on the regime’s failures. Egregious practices will also persist in the absence of public outrage.

Following last year’s constitutional referendum, Turkey’s next president will assume unprecedented power. Erdogan will be able to intervene in the judiciary and appoint officials, in addition to the powers given under the state of emergency. Henri Barkey, a director at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, writes that the changes “institutionalize[d] a populist authoritarian system” that lacks checks and balances on an all-powerful executive. Erdogan’s appointees will not be accountable to voters, while the reform’s other provisions further empower the president to control political and civil society.

Given Erdogan’s past rights record and the new powers he will assume, it is likely Turkey will move even more quickly towards authoritarianism. With it will come the continued suppression of civil society and the violent abuse of oppositionists. The international community must continue to push Turkey to change its political practices.