The White House said on Tuesday, June 11 it was concerned by attempts in Turkey to punish individuals for expressing free speech and called for dialogue to resolve differences between the government and protesters, Today’s Zaman reports.

"We continue to follow events in Turkey with concern, and our interest remains supporting freedom of expression and assembly, including the right to peaceful protest," White House spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said in a statement.

"We believe that Turkey's long-term stability, security, and prosperity is best guaranteed by upholding the fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly, association, and a free and independent media. Turkey is a close friend and ally of the United States, and we expect the Turkish authorities to uphold these fundamental freedoms," she said.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also expressed concern about the protests, saying he is following developments in Turkey. Mr. Ban has appealed for calm and stressed the importance of addressing differences through dialogue.

“Protests should be peaceful and the right to assembly and the freedom of expression should be respected, as these are fundamental principles of a democratic state,” Martin Nesirsky, spokesman for the United Nations, also said in a statement.