Turkey seeks Norway justice over police assault, funeral due

A Turkish parliamentarian called on Norwegian MPs to give information about an assault on a Turkish family by Norwegian police and bring those who were responsible to justice.

Zafer Uskul, chairman of the Turkish Parliamentary Human Rights Inquiry Commission, sent letters to the Norway's parliamentary commissions for interior affairs and justice.

In his letters, Uskul said, "the right to live and the right to health are the most fundamental part of human rights. It is the most important duty of all states to protect and preserve these rights. Undoubtedly, Norwegian state and parliamentarians share the same understanding with us."

Meanhwile, upon a question about the assault on a Turkish family in Norwegian capital Oslo by police, Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters that an investigation was under way, and they would inform the public opinion as soon as they received information from Norway.  

Uskul called on Norwegian parliamentarians to give information about the incident and bring those who were responsible to justice.

A 63-year old Turkish woman, Dondu Tulum, had a cardiac attack at her house in Oslo on January 3. Her son-in-law, Fedai Ucarli, called for an ambulance. Since paramedics were late, he made several other calls and yelled at officers. After paramedics called the police, policemen came to Turkish family's house and handcuffed Ucarli and his wife in the middle of the street. Neighbors witnessed the incident and recorded it. Ambulance arrived at house 45 minutes after the first call. The old woman died at home in lack of medical assistance.

Meanwhile, Tulum will be laid to rest in Havza town of the northwestern province of Samsun later today. His son, Kutluay Tulum, said that they had filed a lawsuit.

"We will demand justice with the support of our state. We wish that people will not live the same thing just because they come from a different race, ethnic background and nationality. What has happened on that day is nothing but racism. They treated our mother as a second-class person. She died not because of heart attack, but because lack of medical assistance," he said.

/World Bulletin/