Turkish President criticizes Arab demands against Qatar

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday rejected calls to cease Turkish military presence and close its military base in Qatar. He viewed [Anadolu News, report] these demand as disrespectful to Turkey. Additionally, President Erdogan claimed that the list of 13 demands [AP, materials] imposed on Qatar by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain were an unlawful interference with Qatar’s sovereignty. The demands against Qatar were prompted by allegations that Qatar condones and funds terrorist activity. Erdogan said that he supports Qatar’s contention that the list of demands is unreasonable. Qatar was given a ten day window to comply with the demands.

While these four Arab countries have called on Qatar to clean up its act, they have also received criticism recently. Earlier in June, Amnesty International accused [JURIST report] Bahrain of moving toward a total suppression of human rights after a major political party in opposition to the government was dissolved. In May, Saudi Arabia was accused [JURIST report] of violating human rights for demolishing a culturally significant neighborhood. Earlier in May, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Ben Emmerson, said [JURIST report] that Saudi Arabia’s anti-terrorism laws are too broad and post a threat to individual rights. In March, Bahrain’s upper house of parliament approved [JURIST report] a constitutional amendment that would allow military trials for civilians accused of being involved in terrorism plots. In July 2016, Amnesty International reported [JURIST report] that hundreds of Egyptians had been abducted and tortured by Egypt’s National Security Agency during a crackdown on political activists and protesters.