Militants are human after all: Minister

ANTALYA - Anatolia News Agency

Security forces try to convince militants to cling to life, says Şahin. AA photo

Interior Minister İdris Naim Şahin has said that members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) are “human after all,” speaking at the opening ceremony of the 4th International Terrorism and Cross-border Crimes Symposium in Antalya on Dec. 7.

“Those PKK militants are human after all. Even though they are brainwashed and evil-minded, they are unfortunate,” Şahin said.

In response to a question regarding the “humanistic approach of security forces toward the PKK terrorists with regard to surrender,” Şahin said: “Without a doubt, Turkish security forces members are much more advanced in human values, psychologically. As well as having the ability to struggle against them with arms, security forces have the ability to implement a humanistic approach and psychological tactics.”

Şahin said he was aware there were “some scenes” that people who observe counter-terrorism activities found strange, such as calling on militants to surrender.

“Security forces who call on militants to surrender - despite their firing against the security forces and innocent people - are achieving an extremely difficult goal,” Şahin said.

Turkey’s police, soldiers and gendarmerie try to find ways to convince militants to cling to life, according to Şahin, who added that the terrorist organization would never reach its goals. “They will not gain anything other than ruining the lives and time of others,” he said.