Ankara reacted to the US State Department’s criticism of Turkey in its annual report evaluating the human rights practices of 200 countries and regions.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a written statement and stated that they did not respect the report; He called on the United States to “focus on its own record” on human rights.
In the statement, it was argued that the report included “unfounded and unsourced allegations and prejudiced comments” against Turkey; It was noted that “Turkey resolutely maintains its commitment to the principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, despite multifaceted and severe terrorist threats.”
In the statement, it was stated that counter-terrorism operations are entirely aimed at terrorist elements and the capabilities used in terrorist activities; “It is impossible to understand the US’s insistence on inconsistent claims that distort the facts, as an ally who is well aware of the scope of our just and legitimate struggle against all forms of terrorism,” the statement said.
Referring to the USA’s cooperation with the YPG, the Syrian branch of the PKK, in northern Syria, the statement said, “We reiterate our call for the USA to focus on its own record on human rights and to end its partnerships with terrorist organizations and its double-standard policy on human rights.”
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs argued that the events in Gaza were not included “as needed and properly” in the US report. The statement said, “This situation clearly shows that the report in question was prepared with political motives, far from impartiality and objectivity.”
What criticisms were included in the report?
In the Turkey section of the report, it was noted that the restrictions imposed on freedoms of assembly, association and expression before the presidential and parliamentary elections in May last year were an important development that negatively affected the human rights situation in Turkey during the year.
The report stated, “Conflicts between security forces and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorist organization and its extensions continued and resulted in injuries or deaths of security forces, terrorists and civilians. “The government has not provided information on efforts to investigate or prosecute personnel for intentional or unintentional deaths of civilians in connection with counterterrorism operations.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who made the report public at a press conference on Monday, said that although the report focused on human rights problems abroad, they were aware that the US also faced its own shortcomings.
Blinken rejected the allegations that the USA applied double standards when it came to Israel and human rights.
“Do we have double standards? My answer is no,” said Blinken, adding that the United States is examining allegations that Israel violated human rights in its operations against Hamas in Gaza.
