As Human Rights Association (IHD) we condemn the attempted lynching of 2 seasonal workers on 04.06.2007 in Sakarya, which is a province of the Marmara Region,. Two workers, who come from Southeast Region of Turkey, were subjected to this attempted lynch because they were carrying copy of Gundem[1] (Agenda) Newspaper and wore t-shirt printed with Ahmet Kaya[2]’s picture. The lynch attempt targeted, directly, their right to life.
For a long time; there have been lynch attempts that target directly to social peace in the land and provoked, conducted by organized groups. There is a more serious point these lynch attempts, unfortunately; there is no effective investigations and trials against the perpetrators. However; attacked people are reflected into society as if they are real guilty. There are investigations, trials against attacked people.
In this context; it has been observed that lynch attempt in Sakarya Province was reflected as “citizen reaction” and no investigation against responsible. We concern; this situation will cause tension and ethnic conflict among different social groups.
As IHD, we call for authorities to fulfil their missions to stop nationalistic, chauvinist policies that are against our will to live together within peace despite all differences. Also we call for all social groups, who are on democracy’s side, to be sensitive about these policies.
[1] Pro-Kurdish Newspaper.
[2] Dead singer, who was leftist.