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Türkiye on Saturday rejected what it called "unfounded allegations" in the U.S. State Department's 2024 Human Rights Report, asserting that the country fights terrorism within the rule of law while respecting fundamental rights and freedoms.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a written statement dismissing the report's assertions about the country's counterterrorism operations and human rights practices.
"We reject the repeated unfounded allegations concerning Türkiye in the 2024 Human Rights Report released by the U.S. Department of State," the Foreign Ministry statement said, adding that claims in the report "are far from reality."
"Türkiye has been successfully combating all forms and manifestations of terrorism within the framework of the rule of law and fundamental rights and freedoms," the statement added.
The Foreign Ministry expressed particular concern about the inclusion of allegations it attributes to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), which is responsible for the 2016 coup attempt.
"We also deeply regret the inclusion in the report of baseless and unfounded claims put forward through the manipulative rhetoric of the FETO terrorist organization," the statement said.
Addressing criticism of its military operations in Syria, Türkiye defended its cross-border actions as legitimate self-defense measures conducted with careful consideration for civilians.
"Türkiye’s counterterrorism operations in Syria are carried out based on the right of self-defense and with the utmost care for the civilian population and infrastructure," the ministry stated.
"It is entirely wrong to portray these operations outside this just and legitimate framework," the statement noted.
The Foreign Ministry also highlighted Türkiye's role in hosting refugees, positioning itself as a model for migration management.
"Moreover, having welcomed millions of refugees for years and met their basic needs, Türkiye stands as an exemplary country with a comprehensive and sustainable global migration management policy that is based on human dignity," the statement concluded.
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