Diyarbakır branch of the Human Rights Association (HRA) was closed down a few minutes
after its re-opening on 12 August 2000!
Diyarbakır branch of the HRA is one of the most oppressed branches of the Association which is very often prevented from carrying out its activities for the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Diyarbakır Governor's Office banned the activities of Diyarbakır branch of the HRA permanently on 23rd May, 1997. A court action was launched against its 10 executive members before the State Security Court and a prison term of 2 to 10 years was demanded for them. All of the executive members were acquitted. After a legal struggle of three-years, Court of First Instance Nr. 3 lifted the closure decision on 31 March 2000, that was taken by Diyarbakır Governor's Office and decided for the reopening of Diyarbakır branch to carry out its activities. Judicial decision was delayed for 20 days and finally Diyarbakır branch was reopened on 19 April, 2000.
However, 23 days after opening of the Diyarbakır branch, State of Emergency Governor's Office decided to close the branch for three months based upon "Article 11/o"of the State of Emergency Rule on 12 May 2000. The door of Diyarbakır branch office was sealed on the same day and we were prevented to carry out our activities. Based upon the State of Emergency Rule, Article 7 of the Decree Having Force of Law, Nr. 285, prevents the use of any domestic remedies against the State of Emergency Governorship. Presently there are 5 provinces under State of Emergency Rule. State of Emergency Rule grants State of Emergency Governorship the power to prohibit the enjoyment of all fundamental rights and freedoms.
As Diyarbakır branch office of the HRA had been closed for three months on 12 May 2000, it should have been opened on 11 August 2000. The day after (12 August 2000), executive members of the HRA Diyarbakır branch were called by authorities from the security directorate in Diyarbakır and were told that the branch will be opened and that therefore were asked to be in front of the branch office. Executive members of the HRA and the authorities went to the branch office and the branch was opened after completing necessary legal procedure. Right after that, the authorities read an official notification stating that Diyarbakır branch office of the HRA has been closed down for three months upon the "Article 11/o"of the State of Emergency Rule, by the official approval of Diyarbakır Governorship dated 11 August 2000. The branch office was sealed again. The office could remain open just for a few minutes.
Diyarbakır branch of the HRA would have monitored human rights violations, particularly in Diyarbakır and also in the region; informed public opinion on human rights violations; helped people who faced human rights violations to use national and international mechanisms for the protection of their rights, if Diyarbakır branch office could have operated without interference. All these activities that are to be carried out and the general situation of human rights in the region are the sole reason for the closure of Diyarbakır branch office of the HRA once again.
To be governed by democracy and to respect human rights and human rights organisations are sine qua non of civilisation. Human rights are universal beyond any social and national definition.
Considering also the UN Declaration for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, we call on international human rights organisations to be in solidarity with the HRA and its Diyarbakır branch to lift this unlawful decision of closure against the branch.
Statements, fax messages, letters, telegrams and other actions urging for lifting the closure decision of the HRA's Diyarbakır branch will have a considerable contribution for the protection and promotion of human rights and for the full enjoyment of these rights by all and for the establishment of human rights culture in our country.
I would like to thank you in advance for your solidarity.
Best Regards,
Osman Baydemir
Vice-President of the HRA Chairman of Diyarbakır Branch of the HRA
Appeals to:
Minister of the Interior
Mr. Sadettin TANTAN
Tel/fax: +90 312 425 72 15
State Emergency Region Governor's Office
Mr. Gökhan AYDEMİR
Tel/Fax: +90 412 228 63 01 / 224 35 72
Governor of Diyarbakır
Mr. Cemil SERHADLI
Tel/Fax : +90 412 228 48 77 / 222 22 88