Main opposition leader slams Trump’s Muslim ban

ANKARA

REUTERS photo

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order to temporarily prohibit immigrants and visa holders from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States, stating that the order was a violation of human rights. 

“U.S. President Trump’s decision not to allow the citizens of the seven countries with large Muslim populations to enter the U.S. for a certain period of time is against universal values, fundamental human rights and the common achievements of mankind that occurred after hundreds of years of struggle,” Kılıçdaroğlu said Jan. 29. 

His comments came after the U.S. president signed an order on Jan. 28 which prevents travelers and refugees from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering the country.
 
Kılıçdaroğlu said the CHP stood for millions who defend the rights of migrants and refugees against bellicose policies that produce refugees. 

“It is antiquated to regard a country and its citizens as a suspected terrorist with a reductionist understanding,” he added. 

Following the global outcry and massive demonstrations against the order in the U.S., a federal judge granted a stay on deportations for people who arrived in the country with valid visas but who were detained on entry.

Kılıçdaroğlu also hailed the federal judge’s order. 

“We appreciate the New York federal judge’s decision to grant a stay on the executive order,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.