"To Keep Funerals Waiting is Illegal”

Funerals of 13 People's Protection Units (YPG) and Women's Protection Units (YPJ) members who lost their lives in Rojava (a de facto autonomous region in northern and northeastern Syria) during a conflict with Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have been kept waiting since July 25 near Habur Border Gate, a border crossing point between Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan.

Families of the deceased ones are waiting in the other side of the gate. Funerals are kept in a semi-trailer truck and aren’t allow to enter Turkey.

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Şırnak deputy Ferhat Öncü told bianet:

 “It’s merciless and illegal”

 “It’s immoral, merciless and illegal.

We consulted the district governorship, governorship, Parliamentary Speaker and Minister of the Interior but we didn’t come to conclusion. They said it was the decision of Council of Ministers and funerals weren’t allowed to enter the country. Today, we try to reach the governor but he doesn’t answer the phone.”

Encü said Democratic Regions Party (DBP) and HDP deputies started to sit in in front of Habur Border Gate and Governorship of Şırnak in order to protest the governorship and find a solution to the problem. 

An allegation was made

Şırnak Bar President, Nuşirevan Elçi:

 “It was stated that the decision belonged to Council of Ministers but we haven’t been informed, yet.

 “There is no official statement.”

Nuşirevan Elçi added they made an allegation against all responsible officials related to the subject. (AS/BD)

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