AKP launches bid to fight ‘perception operations against Turkey’

ANKARA

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The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) launched fresh bid to counter what it calls negative “perception operations” against Turkey, daily Yeni Şafak reported on July 10. 

The new project, led by AKP Vice Chair Ravza Kavakçı Kan, will reportedly bring AKP officials together with the representatives of international human rights groups to “explain the government’s actions.” 

“The first [leg] is about human rights violations. Violence against women is a worldwide problem, including in the U.S. and European countries. We will also conduct work regarding violations of children’s rights. We’ll prepare reports regarding these violations,” Kan told Yeni Şafak. 

The second leg of the project will focus on “perception operations” against Turkey,” she added.

“We see that some reports have no basis in evidence. They have been prepared only based on comments. We see that they have been prepared based on a couple of newspaper reports. We want to communicate the right information to the relevant institutions. We are currently forming a roadmap. On Monday [July 10], we’ll take part in an event in Washington on the coup attempt [of July 15, 2016]. These contacts will continue,” Kan said. 

“We need to explain clearly that the real party victimized by the coup attempt was the citizens of the Turkish Republic. It is sometimes difficult for the opposite side to grasp this because they cannot understand that such an attempt was resisted by the people,” Kan said. 

She stated that the government would “undertake the necessary research” and present it to “institutions that have criticized Turkey,” especially in the wake of the failed coup attempt.