Joan Ryan MP has urged the UK Government to impress upon Turkey’s President Erdogan the need to ensure “the safety and protection of all citizens, especially the ethnic and religious minority Alevi and Kurdish communities”, following the attempted coup in Turkey.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday 19th July, Joan Ryan MP raised the issue of rising tensions in predominantly Alevi and Kurdish neighbourhoods in Turkey “due to attacks and demonstrations by apparently pro-Erdogan supporters”.
Ms Ryan stated that a number of her constituents were concerned about the safety of their family and friends, due to the instability in the country.
Rt. Hon Sir Alan Duncan MP, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, agreed that the Turkish authorities must provide all of its citizens fair treatment and respect under the rule of law. The Minister will be meeting with his Turkish counterparts in Ankara to discuss these issues on Wednesday 20th July.