As the administrators of Organization for Human Rights&Solidarity for Oppressed People (MAZLUMDER), Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (THİV) and Human Rights Association (İHD); we shared our impressions, which we had gotten by means of investigation and meetings, with media and public on 12th April 2006 in Diyarbakır.
There is an inspection that opened by the Ministry of Interior against Mr Osman Baydemir, the Mayor of Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality and some parts of the inspection were published on the media. Unfortunately these parts of the inspection caused a necessary for sharing our impressions, which we had gotten via meetings with the Governorship, Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality and representatives of 83 non-governmental organizations, once more with public.
Since there are important and concrete proofs that abusing power, shooting by targeting persons, arbitrary detentions, torturing persons (including children), and threats against representatives, who try to prevent clashes, from non-governmental organizations, there should be an urgent, immediate inspection against security forces’ members. Unfortunately, the Government opened an immediate inspection against Osman Baydemir. We regard this inspection as unjust, unacceptable and observe it within concerned.
Beginning from the Ministers of Justice and Interior, we invite all authorities to do their tasks to open an effective inspection and bring those, who are responsible for killings, tortures and arbitrary detentions, up before the court. This is one of the basic characteristics of being Law State. On the other hand, being a Law State is not opening an inspection against Osman Baydemir, who behaved in a common sense, responsible person manner that we witnessed, regarding the TCK (Turkish Penal Code) 314 which states; founding, governing an organization. Moreover, the authorities demand that Osman Baydemir should be put out of his position during the inspection. Osman Baydemir, who was elected via votes of Diyarbakır people, showed such a common sense manner in a period on which the atmosphere was sensible, under tension.
As being human rights organizations we want to underline that;
The first task to provide an atmosphere in peace and democracy, which we need more than ever, is under the responsibility of the political authority.