Turkey criticizes UN rights boss for comments on failed coup

ANKARA

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Tanju Bilgiç.

Turkey on Aug. 13 criticized a top U.N. human rights official for saying Ankara should stem its "thirst for revenge" after a failed coup attempt and refuted people's rights were being violated. 

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein called on Ankara this week to uphold the rights of detainees held since the July 15 failed coup attempt. 

Authorities have suspended, detained or begun investigating tens of thousands of soldiers, police, judges, journalists and civil servants. 

Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgiç, in a statement, said Zeid's comments were unacceptable. 

"It is at best an unfortunate statement for a UN official tasked with guarding human rights to say 'he has no
sympathy' for coup plotters instead of condemning these terrorists who have attempted a bloody coup," Bilgiç said. 

Bilgiç said Turkey's measures following the coup have been consistent with the fundamental principles of rule of law and human rights and repeated Ankara's calls for the Commissioner to visit the country.