Situation in Turkey: Greens condemn violence in Turkey

In the context of a debate in the European Parliament on the situation in Turkey, Green MEPs Joost Lagendijk, Chairman of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, and Cem Özdemir, Member of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, have sent an open letter condemning the violence in Turkey. In the letter they say:

"We would like to express our great concern over the situation in Turkey. In the past week, at least 15 people lost their lives in riots between demonstrators and Turkish security forces in the South-East and in terrorist attacks in Istanbul.

"We strongly condemn the disproportionate use of force by police forces in Diyarbakir and Kiziltepe. The use of automatic pistols to disperse demonstrators is clearly in breach with international law. We therefore call upon the Turkish government to investigate the incidents and on the judiciary to prosecute the law enforcement officials responsible.

"At the same time, we vehemently denounce the provocations by the PKK, whose leaders deliberately stir up violent eruptions and riots. After three municipality busses in Istanbul were burnt without any casualties, the terror hit two young sisters who were killed on Sunday evening when a bus was attacked. The majority of the Kurds who wish to build a decent life in the towns or to return to their villages, should not be hostage to cynical leaders within the 'military' wing of the PKK looking to escalate the conflict.

"We call on all parties involved to stop the violence and the provocations. Those who send their children to march in demonstrations that are bound to end up in riots and those who shoot on them are the two fatal sides of the same coin. The hawks and extremists have monopolised this conflict far too long already. It is now time for those who want a peaceful and common solution to take the lead. It is these forces we want to prevail and succeed."

Source: www.greens-efa.org/cms/pressreleases/dok/118/118707.situation_in_turkey@en.htm