Nearly 10,000 Turkish citizens forcibly disappeared: Egyptian NGO

CAIRO - 26 December 2019: Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had violated human rights of the Turkish people as nearly 10,000 citizens had been forcibly disappeared, the largest number worldwide, Egypt’s United National Organization for Human Rights said.

In an interview with Egypt Today published on Thursday, Mohamed Abdel Na’eem, chairman of the organization, said that Turkish authorities have arrested thousands of people by a direct order from Erdogan after the attempted coup d'état against him in 2016.

Erdogan also ordered arresting and torturing journalists, judges, policemen and activists, Abdel Na’eem said, adding that most of the allegations they face are false or political.

Abdel Na’eem also accused Erdogan of interfering in the work of the judges to imprison the opposition figures.

There is a significant public movement against Erdogan in Turkey, which resulted in the establishment of two new parties, including one that is led by Ahmet Davutoğlu, Abdel Na’eem said, adding that they will have a significant role in coordinating opposition efforts to oust Erdogan and rid Turkish people of his crimes, according to him.

Abdel Na’eem also asserted the Turkish security authorities monitor the citizens’ social media accounts and arrest those opposing Erdogan immediately.

Egypt and Turkey, since the ousting of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, who was also the leader of the now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group, have held strained relations, and have exchanged allegations. The Egyptian foreign ministry and subordinate bodies have worked to refute most of Erodgan’s claims about human rights abuses in Egypt.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry described earlier remarks by Erdogan as “irresponsible,” stressing Egypt’s full denouncement and readiness to challenge any threats.

“Erdoğan’s behavior, his consistent engagement in futile quarrels, and constant fabrications all reflect a desire to deflect attention from his domestic transgressions and to serve electoral purposes,” said Shoukry.

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Additional reporting by Samar Samir