zuzak20180324Kilgour.html

Turkey

Dear David Kilgour:

Thank you for the link to the serious human rights violations ongoing in Turkey as expressed at:
https://stockholmcf.org/canadas-green-party-leader-on-human-rights-violations-in-turkey-i-am-entirely-horrified/

In my opinion, the drive toward authoritarianism (dictatorship) in Turkey is very similar to the trend in many other countries in Europe and around the world. To consolidate his power, President Erdogan has been “targeting alleged members of the Gülen movement” in a manner similar to Josef Stalin targeting imagined “enemies of the people”. Furthermore, Vladimir Putin’s “hybrid war” against Ukraine and the West has allowed him to play geopolitical power politics between the West (NATO) and the Russian Federation.

Nevertheless, there are two other issues that are of critical importance to Turkey and the five other countries abutting the Black Sea, as well as the countries in the Middle East with ethnic Kurdish citizens:

(1) The Invasion and Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation on 18Mar2014
For a multitude of reasons, Crimea must be returned under the jurisdiction of Ukraine as a nuclear-free autonomous region (as it was between 1991 and 2014). Its long-term stability and development should be overseen by the world community (United Nations) with special economic relations to the countries abutting the Black Sea: Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania. It would be recognized as the indigenous homeland of the Crimean Tatars, who would be awarded special parliamentary rights.

Under this scenario, Crimea could quickly become an economic, social and religious oasis in the Black Sea. It could lease naval bases to both Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine would continue to supply water, electricity at internationally-recognized rates and would re-establish normal trade and tourism. It could serve as an economic model of co-operation between East and West -- between the European Union, Russia and Turkey.

(2) Kurdish desire for autonomy
Kurds comprise a significant ethnic minority in Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran. For many years, they have expressed a desire for more autonomy or even to establish an independent state. Naturally, each of these states jealously guards its territorial integrity and their response has often bordered on genocide. (Note the present-day attack of Turkish forces on Kurdish forces on Syrian territory.)

Rather than perpetrate genocide, it would be far more logical for Turkey to convene a conference involving Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran, and invite the Kurds and the world community (United Nations) to discuss an optimum solution to this issue.

Yours sincerely
Will Zuzak; 2018.03.24

David Kilgour Response:
Hi William,
Thanks very much.
Agree fully.
This was released on Turkey this past week on 20March2018: http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22853&LangID=E
Best
david
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The full March 2018 U.N. Report can be accessed at:
http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/TR/2018-03-19_Second_OHCHR_Turkey_Report.pdf
The February 2017 U.N. Report can be accessed at:
http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/TR/OHCHR_South-East_TurkeyReport_10March2017.pdf
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Further articles on the issue supplied by David Kilgour are listed below:
(1) David Kilgour: Turkey at a Crossroads
http://www.david-kilgour.com/2018/DavidKilgour_Turkey_Crossroads_CanParl_Mar2018.pdf

(2) Human Rights Threatened in Today’s Turkey
https://www.theepochtimes.com/human-rights-threatened-in-todays-turkey_2476331.html

(3) Kosovo Arrests 6 Turks Linked to Erdogan Opponent New York Times | 29Mar2018 | Associated Press
https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/03/29/world/europe/ap-eu-kosovo-turkey.html