UPDATE - Türkiye marks International Human Rights Day

UPDATES WITH TURKISH PRESIDENT RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN'S STATEMENT; MINOR CHANGES IN FOREIGN MINISTER CAVUSOGLU'S QUOTES; CHANGES DECK AND LEDE

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - Türkiye on Saturday marked the 74th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN General Assembly, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan noted the importance of basic rights and freedoms.

"Respect towards humans and protecting human rights are among the basic principles of our deep-rooted state tradition and culture of co-existence dating back centuries," said the Turkish president in a statement on the annual Human Rights Day.

He said Türkiye has carried out a "silent revolution so-to-speak by removing the obstacles to the exercise of rights and freedoms through the comprehensive reforms we have introduced over the past two decades."

"Hosting millions of innocents fleeing conflict zones, Türkiye has been the only country that has been endeavoring sincerely for the restoration of peace, stability and serenity since the very beginning," Erdogan said.

Citing the landmark Black Sea Grain Initiative and prisoner swaps between Ukraine and Russia, the Turkish president said his country has contributed to "the solution of the food and energy crisis that adversely affects the lives of billions of people."

Pledging to continue efforts to eliminate "enemies of humanity, who seek to make fortune out of innocents’ blood, cease to pose a threat to our country and nation," Erdogan vowed to continue "to speak up against oppression, pressure, injustice, lawlessness and hypocrisy wherever in the world, starting from our region."

- Human rights crisis

Despite nearly three-quarters of a century since the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, the world continues to be scene to human rights violations and humanitarian crises, the Turkish foreign minister said in his statement.

Congratulating the Human Rights Day to the Turkish nation and the world, Mevlut Cavusoglu noted the ongoing human rights violations and humanitarian crises in many regions globally.

"These violations and crises pose a threat not only to the countries they take place, but also to the world peace and stability," he said.

The top diplomat urged the international community to use all means for the common welfare and happiness of humanity.

"The constructive, remedial and preventive role and efforts of global and regional institutions are needed more than ever," he added.

Affirming that Türkiye resolutely continues its efforts to protect and develop the rights of its citizens and the millions of migrants it hosts, Cavusoglu said his country continues to set an example with its fight against all kinds of human rights violations, including Islamophobia, xenophobia, and racism across the globe.

The Turkish minister expressed hope for a world with human rights based on universal values, peace and justice to prevail all over the world, and a strengthened rule-based order.