In a statement this week, Amnesty International condemned the 11 May bomb attacks in the Turkish border town of Reyhanlı.  According to Amnesty Researcher Andrew Gardner, the attacks, which have left at least 50 people dead and more than 100 injured, “show contempt for the right to life and the fundamental principles of international law.”

Amnesty International calls on the authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation and bring all those responsible to justice in line with international human rights standards.

Beyond the initial tragedy of the terrorist attacks, the violence in Reyhanli seems to have exacerbated the already difficult position of Syrian refugees in Turkey.   Amnesty has voiced its concern at reports of violence directed at Syrian refugees following the bombing.

Such attacks against Syrian refugees, who alongside their hosts in Turkey were also likely targets of the bombings is unacceptable. Amnesty International calls on the Turkish authorities to take all possible measures to ensure the safety and security of Syrian refugees, to investigate the reported attacks and to bring those responsible to justice.

William Jones
Chair, Turkey Country Coordination Group
Amnesty International – USA