Lèse-majesté, Democratic Erosion, and the Criminalisation of Political Dissent

Description

This interview discusses the themes of my recently published monograph, examining the historical origins and contemporary use of lèse-majesté laws in Europe and Turkey. It explores how offences historically associated with treason evolved into modern forms of criminal defamation protecting heads of state, and analyses their potential to generate chilling effects on political criticism. Drawing on comparative legal analysis and European human rights jurisprudence, the interview highlights the transnational dimensions of contemporary lèse-majesté prosecutions and situates the Turkish experience within broader continental legal traditions. It also reflects on the implications of these laws for democratic governance, particularly in contexts marked by democratic backsliding, expanding executive power, and the transformation of the public sphere through digital technologies.