Turkey congratulates ex-ambassador for election to UN

By Zehra Nur Duz

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey’s Foreign Ministry congratulated a former Turkish ambassador Thursday for gaining membership at the UN Committee Against Torture.

“We believe that Ambassador Erdogan Iscan will make significant contributions to the Committee and we wish him success during his term,” the ministry said in a statement.

Describing Iscan as an "experienced and successful diplomat", the statement stressed that his election to the committee reflects Turkey’s "effective" and "fair" position within international organizations.

The 17th meeting of States parties was held in Geneva, Switzerland to elect members to replace five current members whose terms expire on Dec. 31, 2019.

Iscan was elected a member in the first round of the election by securing 83 of 151 votes.

The other four members were elected from Mexico, Latvia, France and Moldova.

The UN Committee Against Torture is composed of 10 independent members who are elected for a four-year tenure.

Iscan’s term will start as of Jan. 1, 2020.

Iscan, 65, previously served as Turkey’s permanent representative to the Council of Europe.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz