Increase of Rights Violations in South-Eastern Turkey

The Report on Human Rights Violation in Southern and South-Eastern Anatolia released by the Human Rights Association (İHD) shows an increase in the number of armed conflicts in the pre-dominantly Kurdish region and also in the number of violations due to judicial pressure.

In a press statement made at the İHD branch of Diyarbakır (south-eastern Turkey), Member of the Steering Board Şevket Akdemir announced, "In the course of the government's efforts to initiate an opening process in the beginning of 2010, hopes ran high to resolve the deadlock and the clashes on peaceful and democratic grounds".

"However, the intolerance developed by the government against differences and opposing voices was the reason for the hopes fuelled in the end of 2009 and the beginning of 2010 for peace and a solution to vanish quickly".

Accordingly, the number of deaths and injuries increased because clashes started again after the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) announced the expiry  of the ceasefire that had been declared on 1 June since the military operations were still being continued.

"Again, death and injuries caused by mines and unclaimed explosives were experienced continually. These incidents of death evolved from the negligence and premeditation of the security forces. The incidents harmed the public conscience as well as well as the society's sense of justice by continuing the policy of impunity towards the people who are responsible".

Rights violations

Burning down villages: "Setting villages on fire was the nightmare of the people in the region in the 1990s. In 2010, it was put to the agenda once more. Three villages belonging to the Hasankeyif District in Batman were set on fire including the surrounding fields, for example. The year 2010 was marked by a significant increase in the number of forest areas burnt down by security forces, mainly as a result of military operations".

Mass graves: "In 2010, many applications were filed to our association regarding mass graves. Research carried out by our association revealed a vast number of mass graves. In order to achieve a sound solution, a commission has to be established urgently to disclose the facts, as we have always claimed".

Bodies of PKK members: "The desecration of corpses of PKK militants by destroying the body's physical integrity with chemicals or other the use of other methods sparks anger and indignation in society and most of all in the families".

Special Authority Courts: "The number of arrest and prosecutions significantly increased as a result of oppressive policies applied by the arm of the judiciary against freedom of assembly and freedom of speech. A court board arbitrarily restrained Kurdish politicians and human rights defenders on trial from presenting their defence in their mother tongue. The right to a fair trial and the right to defence were violated that way".

"Torture continues":

İHD executive Akdemir stated that taking people into custody and beating and torture applied by the police forces at social events in particular strengthened the argument that torture has been brought to the streets. He furthermore drew attention to the fact that fatally ill convicts were not released from prison. (EÜ/VK)