Turkey calls on Obama to prevent Congress bill from becoming law

The Turkish Foreign Ministry called on Sept. 23 for U.S. President Barack Obama to prevent the "Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act" from becoming law, saying it contradicts international law and the principles of the U.N. Charter, particularly regarding the sovereignty and equality of states.

The bill, which has passed the U.S. Congress, is "not only incompliant with the law but is also the product of a distorted approach that could hamper international cooperation against terrorism," read the statement. 

The bill aims to narrow the scope of the legal doctrine of foreign sovereign immunity and passed the Senate with no opposition in May 2016 before unanimously passing the House of Representatives in September 2016. While it does not mention the 9/11 attacks or the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the practical effect of the bill will be to allow a longstanding federal civil lawsuit against Saudi Arabia by the victims, families, and other interests that were injured or damaged in those attacks to proceed.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry stressed that Ankara continues to stand with the victims of terrorism and firmly argues that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations should be countered "without double standards and discrimination."

"In this context, 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," said the statement.

In its capacity as the Chair of the Summit of the Organization of Islamic States (OIC), the Foreign Ministry particularly drew attention to the OIC on this matter.
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