Ankara, Turkey - UN interest in the brutal murders of three Christians in the southeastern city of Malatya this spring is a routine matter related to Turkey's cooperation on human rights issues with the international body, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Levent Bilman said on Friday.
Bilman's remarks were in answer to a journalist's question following reports that the special rapporteur on freedom of religion and belief of the UN Commission on Human Rights -- in response to religious organizations' complaints about freedom of religion in Turkey -- had asked the Foreign Ministry for detailed information about the April 18 killings. Last week an investigation was launched into alleged collusion between police officers and at least one of the suspects charged with killing three Christians working at the Zirve Publishing House -- one German and two Turks.
"There are special groups working on human rights issues within the UN Commission on Human Rights. … Requests for information by special rapporteurs -- in line with their mission guidelines -- on developments concerning human rights issues that occur in member countries are an ordinary routine and all UN members are obliged to cooperate with these special groups," Bilman said.
He added, "The special rapporteur on freedom of religion and belief and the special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression … following the heartrending incident that occurred on April 18, sent a letter dated April 27 and, as is normally done, asked for information about related judicial processes within 60 days -- in line with current procedure. The request has been conveyed to the relevant authorities. … Following this process, there have been no developments related to the issue."
The killings at the Bible publishing house -- in which the victims were tied up before having their throats slit -- drew international condemnation and added to Western concerns about whether Turkey can protect its religious minorities. Five people were arrested and charged with murder. The trial began last month, but was quickly adjourned until Jan. 14 because defense attorneys had requested more time to prepare their arguments. The Interior Ministry decided to open an investigation last week after several newspapers published stories alleging cooperation between police and at least one of the suspects.