Distinguished Press Members,
As you may remember, today is the second anniversary of the 28 March incidents during which 10 of our citizens (7 of them were children) were killed, tens of people were wounded seriously, about 500 were detained and subjected to serious torture and ill-treatment. We do not that violating right to life, which is sacred and untouchable in every atmosphere and under any conditions, has been started after the statement “…we will act in a manner which is necessary without considering there are women or children!!” by the Prime Minister, Mr. Erdogan. Then we lost our 10 people. Our judiciary system got a low grade as; perpetrators of 28 March incidents have no been caught until now, the mentality that killed people without caring they were women or children has not been questioned, legal attempts by Human Rights Association (IHD) have not been concluded, those who killed our citizens have not been subjected to judicial or administrative interrogation.
Recently Newroz Festive, which has been celebrating by people in the Middle East for thousands years, has been bloodied as a result of this mentality. Newroz was not allowed to be celebrated in the following cities Van, Siirt, Hakkari and the following district Yüksekova. When people attempted to celebrate the festive, people were subjected to inhuman pressures. Torture has been practised in streets, about 900 our citizens were detained, most of people were subjected to torture and our two citizens were killed. DTP MPs and administrators and human rights defenders, who attempted to provide an atmosphere in which celebrations took place in peaceful conditions and exercised right of demonstration, were subjected to attacks as well. Police force members, beyond using excessive and unproportional force, acted with intent to kill. According reports by IHD observation committees in the mentioned cities and district and findings, camera records; intervention were the same with the one that experienced in Newroz celebrations in 1990s. Consequently, new crimes against humanity were experienced in these Newroz celebrations.
Distinguished Press Members,
There is no judicial or administrative interrogation against even only one member of security forces that is responsible for serious violations of right to life, prohibition of torture, property right. Moreover the Governors, District Governors and Security Directors are still remaining in their offices. The Government, notably the Minister of Interior Affairs, has not performed the task that is under its responsibility. Attitude of Security Director of Siirt Province towards Mr. Akin Birdal, MP of DTP and attempted to clamp with the director, is a completely shameful act. Local authorities damaged social peace atmosphere by reciprocating and excluding actions. Recently the President of Republic of Turkey invited political party leaders, who are represented in TBMM (Turkish Grand National Assembly), to Presidency of the Republic of Turkey and met with them. Considering this event; ignoring MPs, who have been elected via will of people in the region, damage our democracy seriously.
As IHD, we state that we will follow this process till the end. We demand once again for removing of the Governors in Siirt, Van and Hakkari cities, the District Governor in Yüksekova and Security Directors from their positions.
Reyhan YALÇINDAĞ, Lawyer
Vice President of İHD