Erdogan: West cares more about gay weddings than Syrians

Turkish president says international community stuck in a mindset ‘of slavery and colonialism’

By AP 14 May 2016, 1:45 am

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gestures as he delivers a speech at a meeting of local government heads at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on March 16, 2016. (Adem Altan/AFP)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has slammed Western countries, saying they care more about gay and animal rights than the fate of conflict-stricken Syrians.

Addressing a large crowd Friday in northwest Turkey, Erdogan also accused the West of possessing a mindset “remnant of slavery and colonialism.”

His latest anti-Western outburst came amid a standoff with the European Union over its demand that Turkey amend its anti-terrorism laws to secure visa-free travel in Europe for Turks.

Erdogan said: “Shame on those who don’t show sensitivity … to the women and children who reach out to them for help.”

He added: “Shame on those who deny the sensitivity they show to … the whales, the seals and the turtles in the sea to 23 million Syrians.”