KHRP Condemns Istanbul Bombings and Calls for Full Investigation |
KHRP condemns the twin bombings in Istanbul on 27 July and urges the Turkish authorities and the international community to ensure that the incident is fully investigated. The bombs reportedly exploded about ten minutes apart at around 10pm local time in the residential Gungoren area, killing at least 17 people and injuring some 150. “The targeting of civilians in this way is clearly completely unacceptable under any circumstances,” said KHRP Deputy Director Rachel Bernu. “It is imperative that a swift investigation should take place in order to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators. It is also crucial, however, that this investigation should be thorough, objective and transparent. With several armed groups with both national and international links having recently been active in Turkey, we believe the international community and the Turkish authorities should consider cooperating closely in this process.”“Whoever turns out to have been responsible for this particular incident, such violence will only be avoided in the long-term when all parties agree to seek to heal Turkey’s many political and social divisions through the pursuit of peaceful dialogue and democracy.” |