CoE commissioner blasts Turkey for widespread human rights abusesNovember 26, 2013 - 16:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Council of Europe's human rights commissioner has blasted Turkish authorities for widespread human rights abuses, in a stark review of the anti-government protests in Turkey earlier this year. According to the Associated Press, the report by Nils Muiznieks published Tuesday also says that many allegations of abuse by Turkish police are not being investigated. Muiznieks says: "The Commissioner considers that impunity of law-enforcement officials committing human rights violations is an entrenched problem in Turkey." The report comes at a sensitive time, just weeks after the European Union resumed membership talks with Turkey that had been stalled. Thousands of demonstrators were injured and five were killed during nationwide protests in May and June that were sparked when police cracked down on protesters objecting to the razing of a city park in Istanbul. Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |