British Government replied to a letter written by the Chair APPG for Alevis Joan Ryan MP, on serious concerns regarding the safety and security of the Alevi and Kurdish communities in Turkey and therefore, the UK.
In the 29 July-dated letter, Mrs Ryan had asked whether any negotiations to maintain diplomacy in Turkey were made and if so what have the consequences been. Joan Ryan said “In my capacity as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Alevis, I have received representations from the British Alevi Federation (BAF), and I have conducting meetings with members of the Kurdish community in my constituency. They have informed me of attacks and demonstrations, carried out by alleged pro-President Erdogan supporters, on their family and friends in Turkey. During the current state of emergency, Alevis and Kurds are feeling extremely vulnerable and fear that they are being specifically targeted”
“The UK Government shares your concerns”
Replying to the regarding letter, Sir Alan Duncan, the Minister for Europe and the Americas replied Mrs Ryan’s concerns.
Saying that the UK Government shares the common concerns over respect for the Alevi and Kurdish communities in Turkey, Sir Duncan said the Government has also firmly condemned the attempted coup of 15 July 2016.
Sir Duncan continued: “The Turkish Government has also offered public reassurance of its commitment on human rights. Writing in Newsweek on 8 August, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu offered reassurances that Turkey would continue to respect human rights and accept the authority of the European Court of Human Rights”
“Turkey remains as a key international ally”
Finalising his letter, Sir Duncan said Turkey remains as a key international ally alongside European partners. He said that the 18 July EU Foreign Affairs Council adopted Council Conclusions on Turkey, which underlined the need for human rights to be respected.