Joan Ryan expressed her serious concerns regarding the safety and security of the Alevi and Kurdish communities in Turkey, following the attempted military coup in the country on Friday 15th July:
"29 July 2016
I write to express my serious concerns regarding the safety and security of the Alevi and Kurdish communities in Turkey, following the attempted military coup in the country on Friday 15th July.
In my capacity as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) 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.
I welcomed your statement in the House of Commons, on Monday 18th July, when you called for the "full observance of Turkey's constitutional order and [stressed] the importance of the rule of law prevailing in the wake of this failed coup. Everything must be done to avoid further violence, to protect lives and to restore calm."
Given that the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, has also reiterated his "expectation that Turkey adhere to its international human rights obligations", what further efforts will the UK government undertake to monitor the human rights situation in the country, particularly with regards to the treatment of the Alevi and Kurdish communities?
Secondly, what assurances has your government sought and received from the Turkish authorities that they will uphold fundamental rights, relating to the freedom of movement, freedom of expression and the independence of the judiciary?
Thirdly, what recent discussions have you had with your European counterparts regarding Turkey's decision to suspend temporarily some of the provisions within the European Convention on Human Rights – a treaty to which Turkey is a party?
It is vital for the country's stability that the rights and freedoms of Alevis, Kurds and all of its citizens are respected and upheld.
I look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely,
Rt. Hon Joan Ryan MP
Member of Parliament for Enfield North Chair, APPG for Alevis
www.joanryan.org.uk