’Don’t compare EU cop with Turk cop’
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Hürriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Şubat 27, 2009 00:00
ANKARA - Incidents of disproportionate use of force by security forces in Turkey have decreased over the few last years, according to State Minister and Chief Negotiator for European Union Egemen Bağış.
"Security forces are sometimes charged with the use of disproportionate force. Shooting a gun should be seen as a last resort," said Bağış yesterday. Turkish security forces show dedicated efforts above world standards and it is not fair to wear down the institutions because of mistakes by a few people, Bağış said at the opening ceremony of a seminar titled "Use of Force by Security Forces."
He also said Turkish security forces could not be compared to their European counterparts. "Our neighbors are not France, Germany and Switzerland. Many malicious groups consider Turkey a bridge in terms of human and drug trafficking. This makes security forces’ tasks difficult," Bağış said.
"Turkish forces did not harm civilians in the operations. This shows that Turkey is a country sensitive to human rights and it is at world standards’ level," Bağış said about Turkey’s ongoing struggle against outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK.
EU still critical
The head of the EU Commission delegation to Turkey, Marc Pierini, said the disproportionate use of force by security forces is still seen in Turkey despite the country’s efforts to end such incidents. "Turkey should reach EU standards, as the EU, we will give the required support to Turkey," he said.
"According to the European Convention on Human Rights, everybody has a right to demonstrate and express their views. Citizens cannot be restricted on the subject," Pierini said, adding that the right should be demonstrated in a peaceful way.
European Commission's progress report in 2008 on Turkey pointed to an increase in reports of torture. The U.S-based Human Rights Watch’s study also reported a rise in the disproportionate use of police force against demonstrators.
He also said Turkish security forces could not be compared to their European counterparts. "Our neighbors are not France, Germany and Switzerland. Many malicious groups consider Turkey a bridge in terms of human and drug trafficking. This makes security forces’ tasks difficult," Bağış said.
"Turkish forces did not harm civilians in the operations. This shows that Turkey is a country sensitive to human rights and it is at world standards’ level," Bağış said about Turkey’s ongoing struggle against outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK.
EU still critical
The head of the EU Commission delegation to Turkey, Marc Pierini, said the disproportionate use of force by security forces is still seen in Turkey despite the country’s efforts to end such incidents. "Turkey should reach EU standards, as the EU, we will give the required support to Turkey," he said.
"According to the European Convention on Human Rights, everybody has a right to demonstrate and express their views. Citizens cannot be restricted on the subject," Pierini said, adding that the right should be demonstrated in a peaceful way.
European Commission's progress report in 2008 on Turkey pointed to an increase in reports of torture. The U.S-based Human Rights Watch’s study also reported a rise in the disproportionate use of police force against demonstrators.