Freedom of expression and demonstration are the most fundamental freedom areas in democratic countries which are based on human rights. In addition to that not practising torture or ill-treatment by public officers is one of the most basic criterion for respect to the human rights. The intervention of the security forces should be balanced with preventing the events and aimed at taking precaution.
On 31.05.2006, police intervened and blocked to the press conference of the members of Limter-İş Trade Union’s workers, who have not been paid for 3 months. Police used excessive force in this intervention, as a result caused to many of them injured. Moreover, there are allegations; after the intervention police force members beaten workers, who were made ineffective, on streets. Despite all the controversial allegations, these events one more time, unfortunately, have showed that the principal human right are not guaranteed in Turkey.
Neither administrative nor judiciary investigations and impunity of responsible people, after these kind of cases, show the State’s institutions’, especially the Government; weakness about not being able to protect and improve human rights and liberties.
We demand from the Ministry of Interior Affairs to open an immediate administrative penal investigation against security officials particularly the Governor of Istanbul, who did not prevent using excessive force and unjust intervention by police members, security force members, who had responsibilities in these events.
The government should see the fact that to impede of using democratic rights and to use extreme force of the police, are common implementations which include all over the Turkey. Moreover the Government should show a political will, which is more effective and determined, about the protection of human rights. Otherwise, the human rights and liberties will continue to stay in law paragraphs and on the papers.
HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION