Pointing out that the Turkish state violated international law in Syria and Iraq with its invasion attacks, Maloca Internationale Representative Leonardo Rodriguez Perez said that the Turkish state should be recognised as an occupying power.
Non-governmental organisation Maloca Internationale, which operates under the umbrella of the UN and in the international arena, submitted a report to the 80th session of the UN Committee against Torture, which started on 8 July and will continue until 26 July. The report draws attention to the rights violations in the regions under the occupation of the Turkish state.
Leonardo Rodriguez Perez, one of the UN Representatives of the Maloca Internationale, spoke to ANF about the crimes committed by the Turkish state in the occupied territories in Syria and violations in Iraq.
‘Turkey should be recognised as an occupying power'
Leonardo Rodriguez Perez said that the main purpose of the report they submitted to the 80th session of the UN Committee Against Torture is the recognition of Turkey as an occupying force in Syria and Iraq. ‘The purpose of our organisation and this report we are submitting is to propose what we think is the best solution to contribute to the resolution of this conflict within the framework of the rules. That is to recognise Turkey as an occupying power. Indeed, if Turkey is recognised as an occupying power, we will have more tools to hold Turkey accountable for its actions under international humanitarian law."
‘Forced displacement of people is torture’
Leonardo Rodriguez Perez said that during the sessions on Turkey on 16, 17 and 18 July, they will propose to the UN Committee against Torture to recognise Turkey as an occupying force in Syria, adding: "The Committee needs to work more against torture in occupied territories. For example, Turkey's actions outside its borders in Syria, in Northern Syria, have led to forced displacement and these people are at risk of being tortured. Forced displacement of people is already prohibited by the UN Convention against Torture’.
‘Turkey is not prosecuted for violations because it is part of NATO’
Pointing out that Turkey is violating international law, Leonardo Rodriguez Perez stated: ‘They are already violating the territorial integrity of one or two neighbouring countries. We are talking about part of Syria, but Turkey is also violating the territorial integrity of Iraq. The reason why Turkey is not being prosecuted for these violations is because it is part of NATO. If you are part of the NATO ‘club’, you are protected. You can do anything, no one will oppose you. Our campaign is basically against this understanding and seeks to ensure that Turkey is recognised as an occupying force in Syria."
