President Erdogan slams those staying silent on human rights abuses in Gaza

By Efe Ozkan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and called those tolerating its violation and remaining bystanders to the atrocities in Palestine a “dark stain in history.”​​​​​​​

Commemorating the Human Rights Day, Erdogan addressed key global humanitarian crises occurring around the world in a statement published by Türkiye's Directorate of Communications on X.

“As a state and a nation, we have considered it our humanitarian duty not to remain silent against crimes against humanity in Palestine from the very beginning. We have stood by our Palestinian brothers and sisters with all our means and we continue to do so,” he said.

“Today, Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories are where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is violated. Those who claim to be defenders of human rights remain bystanders to the atrocities in Palestine, and their inaction will be remembered as a dark stain in history,” Erdogan continued.

Discussing the situation in Syria and highlighting that the change of government could signal peace, stability and tranquility, Erdogan said: “We will provide all necessary support for the establishment of an inclusive and comprehensive government in Syria and the efforts of our Syrian brothers and sisters to get their country back on its feet.”

“It is a global obligation for all countries to protect the vested rights of humanity and to end practices that violate these rights. I emphasize once again that reviewing the rules-based international system with a more inclusive and fair approach, free from double standards, constitutes the first step towards fulfilling this global obligation,” Erdogan noted.​​​​​​​