Asian Parliamentary Assembly chief calls for immediate cessation of 'gross violation' in Gaza

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) - The head of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) on Wednesday called for an "immediate cessation of gross violations" in Gaza.

"The international community must redouble its efforts to de-escalate tensions and to ensure a humanitarian cease-fire. In this regard, the instruments of parliamentary diplomacy also have a role to play," Kurtulmus said in a letter sent to the member countries of APA on the situation in Gaza.

"Through the Asian Parliamentary Assembly and other inter-parliamentary mechanisms, it is incumbent upon all of us to exercise our collective political responsibility to pursue and ensure peace and security in the Middle East and elsewhere," he said.

Expressing deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, Kurtulmus said: "I unequivocally condemn any attack targeting civilians by whomever and for whatever purpose. I equally condemn and categorically reject creation of a discriminatory hierarchy among civilians, alluding to a racist idea of superiority of one over another.

"Palestinians deserve the same level of protection and respect for their rights and dignity. Nothing can justify Israel's barbaric attacks amounting to crimes against humanity," he added.

Türkiye, a member of the Asian Parliamentary Assembly since 2000, has been actively engaged in the APA to enhance cooperation in peace, stability, economic, social, and cultural matters within their respective regions and provide parliamentary solutions to regional issues.

The APA consists of 43 member parliaments, including Türkiye and Palestine, and 15 international organizations as observer members.

The Turkish Grand National Assembly has held the APA chairmanship since it hosted the 10th APA General Assembly in November 2017.