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<p>I refer the noble Lord to the written answer of 6 June given by the Secretary of
State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede
and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) in response to Written Question 38761 from the right hon.
Member for Leeds Central (Mr Benn), copied below for ease of reference:</p><p>‘We
are aware of several public reports regarding alleged events in Cizre. We agree with
the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ráad al Hussein that it is essential
that authorities respect human rights at all times while undertaking security or counter-terrorism
operations.</p><p>We believe Turkey has a legitimate right to defend itself against
the PKK, a terrorist organisation which has killed hundreds of innocent people in
the past year. A PKK offshoot - the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons, or TAK - has also claimed
responsibility for a number of recent attacks, including an indiscriminate suicide
car bombing in central Ankara on 13 March that killed over 30 people. Our thoughts
are with the victims of PKK attacks, and the civilians who have been caught up in
the recent conflict.</p><p>Our Ambassador to Turkey and I have discussed with the
Turkish government the importance of respecting human rights and avoiding civilian
casualties in the fight against terrorism. We believe the first responsibility for
investigating any alleged violations falls to Turkey. And that the PKK needs to cease
violence in order to create the conditions for political resolution of the difficulties
in the south east.’</p><p> </p>
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