The Turkish Foreign Ministry has expressed concern regarding a US congressional bill titled Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, which if it becomes law would give families of terror victims the opportunity to sue countries that support terrorism.
“Turkey believes this bill contradicts the international law and principles of the UN Charter, in particular with regards to the sovereignty and equality of the States. This bill is not only incompliant with the law but also the product of a distorted approach that could hamper international cooperation against terrorism. Turkey continues to stand with the victims of terrorism and firmly defends that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations should be countered without double standards and discrimination,” said the ministry’s statement on Friday.
Under current US law, victims are able to sue countries designated as state sponsors of terrorism. Currently, there are three such countries: Iran, Sudan, and Syria.
The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act would allow victims and their families to sue countries such as Saudi Arabia that are not so designated.
“Turkey calls upon the President of the United States to prevent the bill from becoming law and invites all its allies and partners to take insightful and useful steps with a view to enhancing international cooperation and solidarity,” added the statement.