Human rights groups in Turkey call for an end to Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Anti-war protesters in Moscow on Thursday. (Photo: Al Jazeera)

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The Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV/HRFT) and the Human Rights Association (İHD) have released a joint statement on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"The attack and invasion launched by the army of Russia in the lands of Ukraine on the night of February 23, 2022, is alarming for all humanity. First images published in the press already show the dimensions of the disaster that will occur if this war continues.

"The history of humanity is full of examples of how wars caused grave human rights violations, especially the right to life, great traumas, and economic and social destruction.

"War is not just about maps and explosion footage shown on screens. War is death, migration, starvation, torture and oppression. It is putting aside fundamental rights and freedoms, and the destruction of cities, cultures and ecology.

"War is an instrument of repression and violence not only for those who live in the attacked country but also for those who live in the state that carries out the attack. It is the criminalization of talking in favor of peace and putting aside law and human rights."

The groups further said that "we are not confined to the silence of the international mechanisms established after last century's wars" and called for an end to Russia's invasion.

Also, they said, NATO and other third party states and institutions should not take steps to increase the armament race by exploiting the tragedy in Ukraine. (HA/VK)