‘Turkey should probe diplomats’ torture claims’

THE Universal Rights Association (URA) has called on all international organisations such as United Nations, Venice Commission, and Council of Europe to compel

the Turkish Government to investigate severe torture allegations against former diplomats.

Turkey’s post-coup crackdown since July 15, 2016 has been a source of concern for international organisations as records now show that 96, 885 people, mainly those from opposition political parties, have been arrested.

According to Purge Turkey, an outlet recording the developments since the failed coup over three years ago, 189 media outlets have been shut down since then with 319 journalists arrested. Some schools, dormitories, and universities have shut down.

Some academicians have lost their jobs and some judges and prosecutors dismissed since the crackdown started.

According to the Ankara Bar Association’s Report, six former diplomats of the Turkish Foreign Ministry have been detained and harshly beaten, anally raped by batons, knocked unconscious, and sexually abused at police headquarters in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey.

The Ankara Bar Association’s report also shows that the detained diplomats were forced to sign a statement of confession and that one of the tortured diplomats lost his consciousness due to severe beatings and was hospitalised but was denied a medical a medical report.

And speaking to the Daily Nation in a telephone interview from South Africa yesterday, URA executive director Atilla Dag said the association was concerned about these serious allegations and called on international organisations to press the Turkish Government to carry out thorough investigations on the matter.

Mr. Dag said those involved in these atrocities must realise that they were committing crimes against humanity and that the torture must be stopped forthwith.