20.12.2016
The Russian Federation’s ambassador to Ankara, Andrey Karlov was assassinated in 19 December 2016 in Ankara. The assassin was identified as Mevlut Mert Altintas, 22, a member of Ankara’s Riot Squad Forces. We condemn and damn this assassination, and offer our condolences to the Russian Federation and peoples of Russia.
The assassination which was carried out by a government official has created serious concerns among public and revealed that illegal organisations within the Turkish government still carry on their activities effectively. In Turkey, the impunity policy and the lack of a real purification within the state show not only the lives of Turkish citizens, but also the lives of anyone living in Turkey are in danger.
Slogans that the assassin shouted right after the incident reveal the necessity of questioning Turkey’s domestic and foreign war policies. As a result of these policies which made Turkey an open field for jihadist organisations, we continue paying a heavy price.
On the other hand, we would like to share our concerns about the rise of the violence in discourse at such a level that shuts up the most natural humane voices recently.
We would like to clearly express that this assassination is a political murder.
For this,
- An effective investigation should be conducted, whoever is responsible should be put on trial by immediately being clarified and the investigation authorities should give exact information to those concerned and public on time.
- It should be explained to public why the assassin wasn’t or couldn’t captured alive.
- The application of arbitrary and unlawful media blackouts, which serve for nothing but covering the truth and obstruct people’s right to know the truth, should be abandoned.
Consequently, we leave the necessity of the concerning ministers’ resignations arising from their political responsibility to the public conscience once more.
HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION
HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION OF TURKEY