Imagine if, in the aftermath of civil unrest, UK prisoners were denied access to water, food, and medical care. Imagine if the prison punishments they endured included torture and rape. Shockingly, Amnesty International has reported these horrific human rights abuses in modern day Turkey, and the UK government has not spoken out against them. Please demand that PM Theresa May immediately condemns Turkey's human rights abuses, and sends a clear message that human rights are an international concern.
Graphic accounts of torture, often linked to political dissent, have been coming out of Turkey for the last 25 years. Human rights groups have expressed concerns that the recent removal of thousands of judges has furthered problems with a lack of guaranteed due process, and weak protection from torture.
Following the recent attempted coup in Turkey, thousands of people have been rounded up, detained, and subjected to inhumane cruelty. The chaos and conflict of the coup is being used an excuse to ignore the law and basic human rights.
The Turkish government can investigate the coup whilst still adhering to the law and due process, and President Erdogan must be held accountable to previous promises to crack down on torture. The international response has been worryingly limited. If our leaders do not stand against these abuses, what message are we sending to other countries and our own people about our respect for human rights? Please join us in demanding that Theresa May clearly condemns the cruel and unlawful treatment of Turkish prisoners.
