Reuters, Zurich
Several Turkish citizens with diplomatic passports have sought political asylum in Switzerland, the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper reported on Wednesday, calling the move a potential test of the neutral country’s ties with Turkey. The paper said the second-ranking Turkish diplomat in Bern and his family were among those seeking asylum after he refused to comply with a summons to return home amid a Turkish purge of people suspected of disloyalty to President Tayyip Erdogan.
China rails against US for HR violations
Reuters, Beijing
China lashed out at the United States for its “terrible human rights problems” in a report on Thursday, adding to recent international criticism of Washington on issues ranging from violence inflicted on minorities to U.S. immigration policies. The U.S. State Department’s annual report on rights in nearly 200 countries last week accused China of torture, executions without due process, repression of political rights and persecution of ethnic minorities, among other issues.
Syrian talks to start March 23
AP, United Nations
The United Nations special envoy for Syria said Wednesday he intends to bring the government and opposition back to Geneva for a fifth round of talks on March 23 to pursue agreement on a transition to end the six-year war. Staffan de Mistura told reporters after briefing the Security Council behind closed doors that the U.N. will be promoting substantive talks on four issues – governance, a new constitution, elections and counter-terrorism, “including the security organization and confidence-building measures.”
Fire at Guatemala shelter kills 21 girls
Reuters, Guatemala City
A fire tore through a home for abused teenagers and children in Guatemala, killing at least 21 girls on Wednesday after some residents set mattresses ablaze following an overnight attempt to escape from the overcrowded centre, police said. A crowd of relatives, some wailing with grief, gathered outside the government-run Virgen de Asuncion home for youths aged up to 18, in San Jose Pinula, 25 km southwest of the capital, Guatemala City.
