Turkey: Unmanned Air Vehicles

(asked on 8th January 2021) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to investigate reports that the government of Turkey has used drones against Turkish citizens in 11 regions of that country since 2016; and what representations they have made to the government of Turkey to request an explanation for the deaths of Zehra Berkel, Hebun Mele Xelil and Amina Waysi in June 2020.


Answered by
 Portrait
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 22nd January 2021

We regularly discuss with the Turkish Government the need to respect human rights and avoid civilian casualties during military activities within Turkey. Regarding reports of Turkish military operations causing civilian casualties in Kobane in Syria, where the three named individuals died in June 2020, we expect all sides to the Syrian conflict to respect their obligations towards civilians under international humanitarian law. We will continue to engage with Turkey on this important issue.

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