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Turkey major violator of human rights, international law: Analyst

Monday, 07 November 2016 6:32 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 07 November 2016 6:34 PM ]

Turkish anti-riot police officers detain protesters at Kadikoy district in Istanbul, on November 6, 2016, during a demonstration against the arrest of nine MPs of the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP), including the two co-leaders. (Photo by AFP)

The relations between Turkey and the European Union are going through a fragile period as Ankara widens its crackdown on dissent. The EU has harshly criticized Turkey’s recent arrests of several leaders and lawmakers from the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), calling for their immediate release. Turkey, however, has defended the measure, saying the opposition party has been financially supporting the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militant group.

Marcus Papadopoulos, publisher and editor of Politics First, believes Turkey is a “major violator” of human rights and international law both at home and abroad.

He also expressed hope that Turkey never becomes a member of the European Union, adding that violating international law and human rights contravenes a fundamental pillar of the EU.

“Turkey at home routinely abuses the Kurdish population, it arrests the political representatives, it imprisons the journalists and of course many ordinary Kurds have died in prison cells run by the Kurdish police and run by the Turkish military,” he said.

The analyst added, “If we have a look at the international stage, we see that Turkey violates international law in Cyprus by occupying the north of the country where it has committed ethnic cleansing against the Greek Cypriot community and has eradicated the Greek Cypriot heritage in that part of Cyprus. In Syria, Turkey has sent forces into the north of that country which is an independent sovereign country and Turks have done the same in northern Iraq,” he added.

According to the analyst, Turkey has also been a “major supporter” of terrorism in the Middle East and also in the wider world.

European officials have been increasingly critical of Turkey's crackdown on people suspected of affiliation with US-based opposition cleric, Fethullah Gulen, whom the Ankara government accuses of having masterminded the July 15 coup attempt.

Turkey has also cracked down on thousands over alleged links to Kurdish militants operating in its southeast which has sparked renewed condemnations from the West.

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