EU official: We won’t ignore Turkey’s human right violations

European Parliament President Martin Schulz says the EU must make no concessions to Turkey over human rights, but voices confidence in a deal with Ankara to manage the refugee crisis.

Under the controversial agreement, Turkey is due to take back illegal migrants from EU member Greece from Monday, when it will also start an orderly resettlement program of Syrian asylum-seekers to the 28-member bloc.

Turkey has received EU financial aid and other concessions, but Schulz tells Germany’s Bild am Sonntag newspaper that Europe must give no ground to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when it comes to fundamental freedoms.

“We must not be silent on violations of fundamental rights in Turkey just because we are cooperating on the refugee question,” he says. “On the contrary, we must denounce these violations and permanently stay in discussions with Turkey on freedom of expression and human rights issues.”

— AFP