The controversial report by the Prime Ministry’s Human Rights Advisory Board was rejected by senior officials–who denied it was commissioned by the government.
(NTV-MSNBC)–A report on ethnic minorities in Turkey–released by an advisory body linked to the office of the Turkish Prime Minister–may end up in court–with one member of the Human Right Advisory Board saying he has applied for its authors to be prosecuted.
Fethi Bolayir–a member of the board–said on Monday that the report attacked the national and spiritual values of the republic. Bolayir–who is also the chairman of Social Thinking Association–described the report as a "a document of treason" and called for legal action to be taken against those involved in preparing it.
Issued last week–the report recommen’s greater recognition be given to ethnic minorities in Turkey. Currently–only three ethnic minorities–the Jews–Armenia’s–and Greeks–are officially recognized. But Bolayir stressed the report disregards the Laussane Treaty–the international treaty that established the status of minorities in Turkey.
"If this report–which suggests that the unchangeable articles of the constitution that limits minority and cultural rights–be changed–then what is it–if not a document of treason," he said.
Bolayir also stressed that his organization supports ridding of injustices–corruption–and poverty–but not the division of the Turkish Republic.
He revealed that of the 30 members of the board–seven voted against the report–and that changes in the section covering minorities were made without the knowledge of certain members–thus a clearly abuse of office and breach of confidence.
Chairman of the board Ibrahim Kaboglu–said the report had been submitted to the Prime Ministry–but government officials denied having anything to do with the report.