Turkey formally protests minister’s treatment in Netherlands
Published 9:06 am Monday, March 13, 2017
ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned the Netherlands’ top diplomat to formally protest its treatment of a Turkish minister in that country over the weekend as well as what it said was “disproportionate” use of force against demonstrators in a protest that ensued.
The Ministry said the Dutch Embassy’s charge d’affaires, Daan Feddo Huisinga, was called to the ministry where a senior official handed him two formal protest notes.
The first protested what it said practices that were contrary to international conventions, diplomatic courtesy, and diplomatic immunities and requested a written apology from the Dutch authorities, a ministry statement said. Turkey also reserved its right to seek compensation, the Dutch diplomat was told.
The second note protested the treatment of Turkish citizens who had gathered outside the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam, saying “disproportionate force” had been used against “people using their right to peaceful gatherings.