Prime Minister Carney Defends Turkey Ties Amid LGBTQ+ Rights Concerns
Prime Minister Mark Carney defends Canada's diplomatic engagement with Turkey, confirming that human rights issues were raised during recent meetings.
POLICY WIRE — Istanbul, Turkey — Prime Minister Mark Carney stated on Friday that his delegation addressed concerns regarding LGBTQ+ rights during bilateral discussions with Turkish officials held the previous day.
Carney defended the pursuit of stronger ties with Turkey, emphasizing that engaging in international partnerships does not signify an endorsement of the host nation’s domestic policies. He noted that while Canada seeks deeper cooperation, it does not equate to approval of the government’s actions.
The Prime Minister did not clarify whether he personally discussed these human rights matters directly with President Erdogan. He maintained that Canada’s primary objective remains the protection and promotion of human rights within its own borders.
This diplomatic balancing act follows Canada’s participation in an October 7 statement issued by the Equal Rights Coalition, which condemned the global increase in discriminatory rhetoric and the persecution of LGBTQ+ communities. While that declaration criticized such trends, it did not explicitly name Turkey.
Carney concluded his visit by arguing that Canada must continue to pursue trade and diplomatic relations with various nations, even those facing human rights accusations, noting that few countries fully align with Canadian standards.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
