Thank you, Mr. Chair
My name is David Morgan and I am the acting director of the Eastern Europe and Eurasia Relations division at Global Affairs Canada.
Thank you for inviting me to speak today about the situation in Turkey over the past two to three months, the period of the attempted overthrow of the democratically-elected government, and Turkey’s response to that attempt.
Canada's relationship with Turkey is strong. We are G20 partners, NATO allies, and partners in the global coalition to counter Daesh. Turkey provided extensive support to Canada for Operation Syrian Refugees. For its part, Turkey has expended over $8 billion in caring for almost three million Syrian refugees.
Turkey's location has long ensured its geopolitical significance. Today, Turkey is directly affected by a number of the world's most pressing security challenges. It also faces serious threats to its democracy.
On July 15, elements of the Turkish military attempted to violently overthrow the government in contempt of the democratic principles our countries affirm and uphold. Using commandeered F-16 fighters and tanks, the plotters attacked parliament and the presidential palace. Hundreds were killed and thousands injured. In Turkey, people in all political parties rose up to defend their country. In Canada, the Prime Minister and Minister Dion immediately issued a categorical condemnation of the coup attempt and emphasized our support for the Turkish government in bringing those responsible to justice.
As with other countries who have suffered like attacks on their citizens and institutions, the issue presents itself: how far should and must a government go to secure itself and its citizens' security? Where is the line to be drawn?
Turkey has declared a state of emergency to address the causes of the coup attempt and is within its prerogative to do so. But Canada is concerned by the scale of the detentions and dismissals, by allegations of serious human rights abuses, and by officials considering the reintroduction of the death penalty. Two Canadians have been caught up in the Turkish counter-coup response. Our Prime Minister has raised this issue with President Erdogan directly. Politicians and government officials at all levels also pressed for consular access.
Officials meet with our Turkish counterparts regularly on this and more broadly to work constructively together to ensure that the ongoing situation in Turkey comes to a peaceful and stable resolution while respecting fundamental freedoms, human rights, and the rule of law. Canada continues to advocate that the coup response be proportional and that the line to be drawn be at maintaining the democracy and rule of law that the Turkish people flocked to the streets to defend on July 15.
Thank you, Mr. Chair