TİHV: Demonstrations Banned in 21 Provinces for 147 Times in One Year

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The Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) has released a report on bans on demonstrations and events between January 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020.

In this period, governorships and sub-governorships issued bans 147 times in 21 cities and one district. The bans affected a total of 25,183,911 people. Durations of the bans varied from two days to 395 days. 

"The right to / freedom of assembly and demonstration is an indispensable condition and an inseparable part of democracies. Talking about democracy is not possible in a country where this right/freedom is not guaranteed," the report said.

If further stated that such practices violate Article 34 of the Constitution, which says, "Everyone has the right to hold unarmed and peaceful meetings and demonstration marches without prior permission."

"In the period of bans, the situation of Van province comes to the fore. With back to back orders, the Governorship of Van has been uninterruptedly implementing the ban on demonstrations and events since November 21, 2016", the report said, noting that events have been banned in Van for 1,174 days.

The reasons cited in ban orders were also "arbitrary, abstract and discriminatory" and were not in compliance with international documents on human rights, according to the report. (HA/VK)