Erdogan Blames Colonialism, Racism for Violence in France

Rabat – The civil unrest in France and mounting violence in protest of the brutal murder of 17-year-old Nahel are all caused by France’s history of “colonialism” and “institutional racism,” Turkish President Recip Tayib Erdogan said on Monday.

Speaking on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara, Erdogan said, “In countries known for their colonial past, cultural racism has turned into institutional racism.”

“The events that began in France and shortly thereafter spread to other countries have their roots in the societal architecture that this mindset has created,” he said.

“We hope that the recent events, which cause us concern, will come to an end as soon as possible before more blood is shed and the spiral of violence worsens,” he added.

He also expressed his worries that the recent events in France might result in increased oppression of Muslims and migrants, saying that such events could trigger a “new wave of pressure and intimidation.”

France has been rocked by protests since last Tuesday, triggered by the shooting of Nahel M., a 17-year-old boy of Algerian origins, by a police officer during a traffic stop in the Paris suburb of Nanterre.

Despite orders to stop, the unarmed teenager was shot by the officer through his car’s driver window.

According to local media reports on Monday, 157 individuals were arrested by French police during nationwide protests against the police killing.

The officer who fired the fatal shot at Nahel is now under an official investigation for voluntary homicide and has been placed in preliminary detention.

Erdogan also highlighted the significance of those who previously attempted to lecture Turkiye “on rights and democracy” now remaining “conspicuously silent.”

“While we do not support the looting of stores, it is important to recognize that street protests are not a legitimate method of asserting rights,” he said. “Nevertheless, it is evident that authorities should take lessons from this social outburst.”