UN calls on Turkey to investigate killings, abusesMarch 10, 2017 - 16:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The UN human rights office is calling on Turkey's government to investigate alleged killings and other abuses in the country's southeast in a new report decrying violations including hundreds of alleged unlawful killings and the obliteration of nearly 1,800 buildings during security force operations over 18 months, The Associated Press reports. The 25-page report draws on confidential and public accounts, satellite imagery and other sources because UN investigators have failed to win access to the largely ethnic Kurdish areas despite a year of attempts to do so. The report released Friday focuses on alleged violations between July 2015 and December 2016, when at least 335,000 people were reportedly displaced during the security sweep. The rights office said Turkey's government had indicated the Kurdistan Workers Party, which Ankara considers a terrorist group, had attacked security forces, killing and wounding. UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein also noted the "complex challenges" that Turkey has faced since a failed coup in July. The report cites allegations of cases including torture, enforced disappearances, incitement to hatred, and violence against women. Top stories 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |