Amnesty International condemns embassy bombing

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC STATEMENT

EUR 44/003/2013

1 February 2013

Turkey: Amnesty International condemns embassy bombing

Amnesty International condemns the bomb attack on the Embassy of the United States in Ankara. According to reports, the explosion occurred at around 1.10pm inside one of the entrances to the embassy. According to a statement made by the Turkish authorities, the bombing was carried out by a suicide bomber and resulted in the deaths of two persons, one of them an embassy security guard. A member of the public was also injured and is receiving treatment in hospital.

Any attacks of this kind which recklessly cause casualties among the general population or put them at risk demonstrate contempt for the fundamental principles of humanity.

As yet, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the bombing. However, the authorities accused the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Front (DHKP-C) an armed leftist group of carrying out the attack.

Amnesty International calls on the authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation and bring those responsible to justice in fair proceedings in line with international human rights standards.

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