The Left Party asked Swedish Security Police (Säpo) officials, who attended the meeting of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee on 23 March to inform parties about the security situation in the country, to end the profiling and repression of Kurds.

After the meeting, Svenneling answered ANF's questions and pointed out that, "Säpo officials avoided answering our questions regarding Turkey. The relations between the Turkish state and Säpo are rather uncertain, they do not want to say what kind of cooperation they have made.”

“SÄPO WANTS TO EVADE RESPONSIBILITY”

Asked whether there is a relationship between the new terror laws alleged to have been enacted specifically to combat ISIS and the increasing pressure on Kurds in the past year, Svenneling said the following:

“There is a relationship between the two. There are concerns and debates about terrorism in Sweden. Previously, Kurds and Kurdish organizations were seen as a security risk. But the Kurds do not have any actions showing that they pose a threat to security. However, we see people being deported on baseless charges. Säpo evades responsibility by claiming that the deportation decisions were made by the Immigration Office but not by them."

KURDISH ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD ESTABLISH DIRECT RELATIONSHIP WITH SÄPO

Svenneling said that it would be beneficial for Kurdish organizations to establish direct relations with Säpo.

“Many draw a parallel between between the practices that followed the murder of Palme and the current attitude of Säpo. There is a risk of a new security crisis between Säpo and the Kurds," he warned.

SANCTIONS FOR TURKEY EXPECTED AT EU SUMMIT

The Swedish MP said he believed that Turkey would be sanctioned at the European Union summit which will be held on March 25-26 for the crimes it has committed against democracy and human rights. Yet, he voiced concern over the risk that the EU could pay regard to its economic interests and the refugee deal with Turkey.

Noting that Turkey has been reducing the tensions with Greece and South Cyprus, he added; "The European Union might therefore soften its criticism of Turkey."

LATEST SITUATION IN TURKEY

However, last week's developments show that the situation in Turkey has worsened, Svenneling said.

The legal process initiated for the closure of the HDP, the summaries of proceedings sent to parliament to lift the immunity of HDP MPs, and the annulment of the Istanbul Convention to combat violence against women are worrisome, he noted.

He added that Turkey's withdrawal from the Istanbul convention revealed the influence of conservative forces on the government.