"It is unfortunate that you continue with the accusing statements and it worries us," said Onen and Ondul. "It is the duty of governments to timely and objectively investigate the allegations of torture."
Human rights defenders should be taken into account
Onen and Ondul, in the letter they published for Erdogan, summarized the spirit of the December 9, 1998 "United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders," and underlined the responsibilities of states and governments within the framework of the declaration:
"One of the important responsibilities of states is to facilitate the work of human rights defenders and organizations, to investigate their allegations, and to refrain from punishing them for their opinions, research, studies and evaluations."
The definition of systematic torture
Onen and Ondul once again talked about the reasons why TIHV and IHD believe there is systematic torture in Turkey:
* The United Nations Committee Against Torture defines systematic torture as torture that is "widespread, continuous, and intentional."
* IHD and TIHV, which are among Turkey's foremost human rights organizations, evaluated torture in Turkey according to these criteria, and came to define it to be "systematic."
* Our evaluation is also based on special data from thousands of torture complaints our organizations receive, and other general data about trial periods, forensic medical reports, and legal framework.
* Both human rights organizations are first of all using their freedom of expression, and then doing their jobs. Human rights organizations cannot be asked to keep silent about violations.
Governments' duty is to investigate and research
"The governments' duty is to timely and objectively investigate and research all allegations of torture," said Onen and Ondul. They criticized the prime minister's attitude saying:
* It is not a democratic or good-willed attitude to make human rights organizations, that bring complaints and allegations to the attention of the people and officials, seem like they have a connection to terrorists, and to refer them to intelligence services, instead of investigating, researching or questioning their torture allegations.
* This attitude, which is obvious in your recent messages and especially your speech at the European Commission, conflicts with the "zero tolerance" toward torture attitude. Making such statements is in a way threatening the human rights defenders.
* Although we believe "zero tolerance toward torture" attitude is relevant and necessary to alleviate torture, we don't think this determination is put to use against those who violate human rights.
* It is unfortunate that you continue with your accusing statements against human rights defenders who voice allegations of torture, and it worries us.
* It is a characteristic of dictators to make human rights defenders seem like they are connected to terrorists just because they voice torture complaints and allegations. (YS/BB/EA/YE)
