TİHV: 224 Civilians Killed in Curfews

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Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) has announced that 1,377,000 persons have been affected by curfews which have caused deprivation of the rights to health and life.

According to the information of TİHV Documentation Center, from the first curfew on August 16, 2015 till February 5, 2016, 224 civilians have been killed 30 of whom had been over the age of 60 and among whom there were 42 children and 31 women.

67 days in Sur, 55 days in Cizre and Silopi

The curfew has been imposed for 67 days in Sur district of Diyarbakır and 55 days in Cizre and Silopi districts of Şırnak.

In the statement, it has been noted that the curfews and operations had entered a different new phase lately:

“The change in the application of curfews meaning the expansion in the regions under curfews declared for an indefinite period of time with an open end as well as the structure of military deployment and the harsh statements of the authorities of the state and the Government indicates that as of December 11, 2015 we have entered into a different and especially in certain areas much more intense process”.

142 deaths in three districts

The curfews are still in effect since December 11 in Sur district of Diyarbakır and December 14 in Cizre district of Şırnak. The curfew has been lifted only for the morning hours in Silopi district of Şırnak.  

TİHV has stated that alone in these three districts, 142 civilians have lost their lives.

“According to the way of deaths proclaimed by the witnesses, between December 11, 2015 and February 5, 2016, 64 persons have lost their lives inside their houses, 53 others due to getting buried in the wreckage over shootings and cannon balls hitting their houses and 11 others due to health problems occurred through direct effects of the curfew”.

It has also been noted that 31 persons have lost their lives in consequence of not being able to practice their rights to health due to being hindered by security forces.

TİHV has added; “Taken all these rights violations into account, an effective, independent and impartial investigations should be launched immediately”. (AS/DG)